Debate No 6 of 2010 (REVISED) - Tuesday 06 July

Transcription

No. 6 of 2010
FIFTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PARLIAMENTARY
DEBATES
(HANSARD)
FIRST SESSION
TUESDAY 06 JULY 2010
CONTENTS
2
PAPERS LAID
QUESTIONS (Oral)
MOTION
SUSPENSION OF S.O. 10 (2)
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
BILLS (Public)
MOTION
GOVERNMENT-PROGRAMME 2010-2015
ADJOURNMENT
QUESTIONS (Written)
3
Members
Members
THE CABINET
(Formed by Dr. the Hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam)
Dr. the Hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK,
Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs
FRCP
and External Communications
Dr. the Hon. Ahmed Rashid Beebeejaun, GCSK,
FRCP
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and
Public Utilities
Hon. Charles Gaëtan Xavier-Luc Duval, GCSK
Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Social
Integration and Economic Empowerment
Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth
Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and
Economic Development
Hon. Anil Kumar Bachoo
Minister of Public Infrastructure, National
Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping
Dr. the Hon. Arvin Boolell
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration
and International Trade
Dr. the Hon. Abu Twalib Kasenally, FRCS
Minister of Housing and Lands
Hon. Mrs Sheilabai Bappoo, GOSK
Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development
and Family Welfare
Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha
Minister of Tourism and Leisure
Dr. the Hon. Vasant Kumar Bunwaree
Minister of Education and Human Resources
Hon. Satya Veyash Faugoo
Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security
Hon. Showkutally Soodhun
Minister of Industry and Commerce
Hon. Devanand Virahsawmy, GOSK
Minister of Environment and Sustainable
Development
Dr. the Hon. Rajeshwar Jeetah
Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research
and Technology
Hon. Satyaprakash Ritoo
Minister of Youth and Sports
Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun
Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity
and Reform Institutions
4
Hon. Louis Hervé Aimée
Hon. Mrs Santi Bai Hanoomanjee
Hon. Mookhesswur Choonee
Hon. Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum
Hon. Louis Joseph Von-Mally, GOSK
Hon. Ashit Kumar Gungah
Hon Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Abdul Razack
Mohamed
Hon Yatindra Nath Varma
Hon John Michaël Tzoun Sao Yeung Sik Yuen
Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands
Minister of Health and Quality of Life
Minister of Arts and Culture
Minister of Information and Communication
Technology
Minister of Fisheries and Rodrigues
Minister of Civil Service Affairs and
Administrative Reforms
Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations
and Employment
Attorney General
Minister
of
Business,
Enterprise,
Cooperatives and Consumer Protection
5
Members
Members
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS
Mr Speaker
Purryag, Hon. Rajkeswur, GCSK, GOSK
Deputy Speaker
Roopun, Hon. Prithvirajsing
Deputy Chairman of Committees
Hossen, Hon. Abdullah Hafeez
Clerk of the National Assembly
Dowlutta, Mr R. Ranjit
Deputy Clerk
Lotun, Mrs B. Safeena
Clerk Assistant
Ramchurn, Ms Urmeelah Devi
Chief Hansard Reporter and
Lam Shu On, Ms Clivie
Sub-Editor
Senior Library Officer
Pallen, Mr Noël
Serjeant-at-Arms
Munroop, Mr Kishore
6
MAURITIUS
---------Fifth National Assembly
---------------
FIRST SESSION
--------Debate No. 6 of 2010
Sitting of Tuesday 06 July 2010
The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Port Louis
at 11.30 a.m.
The National Anthem was played
(Mr Speaker in the Chair)
7
PAPERS LAID
The Prime Minister: Sir, the Papers have been laid on the Table –
A.
Prime Minister’s Office Certificate of Urgency in respect of the following Bills –
(i)
The Supplementary Appropriation (2008-2009) (No. 2) Bill (No. XII of
2010);
B.
(ii)
The Supplementary Appropriation (2009) Bill (No. XIII of 2010), and
(iii)
The Sugar Cane Planters Trust (Repeal) Bill (No. XIV of 2010).
Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment The National Economic and Social Council Report 14 of the Integration into the
Global Economy - Socio-Economic Challenges and Policy Implications for
Mauritius – May 2010.
C.
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (a)
The Estimates of Supplementary Expenditure (2008-2009) (No. 2) of
2010.
(b)
The Estimates of Supplementary Expenditure (2009) of 2010.
(c)
Direction for the extension of period within which Annual Reports of the
Director of Audit shall be transmitted in respect of the financial year
2008-2009 (In original).
D.
Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security The Annual Report 2006/2007 of the Small Planters Welfare Fund.
8
E.
Ministry of Arts and Culture (a)
The Audited Accounts of the Mauritius Film Development Corporation
for the years ended 30 June 2001, 30 June 2002 and 30 June 2003.
(b)
The Audited Financial Statements of the Mauritius Film Development
Corporation for the years 2004-2006 and 2007.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
MCB/NPF AFFAIR – SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT
The Leader of the Opposition (Mr P. Bérenger) (By Private Notice) asked the Prime
Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, whether, in regard
to the MCB/NPF affair and the judgement of the Supreme Court delivered in relation thereto last
Wednesday, he will (a)
for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police,
information as to the details of criminal cases still pending before our
Courts;
(b)
table copy of the judgement of the United Kingdom Court which
discharged Mr Teeren Appassamy from extradition proceedings, and
(c)
say whether he will agree to the setting up of a Select Committee of the
House to inquire into the way the Teeren Appassamy and Robert Lesage
cases have been handled by the authorities concerned.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question
1B/71 on 22 June 2010, the MCB/NPF case was uncovered on 06 February 2003 when a massive
shortfall of about Rs860 m. in the accounts of the NPF at the Mauritius Commercial Bank was
discovered by the then Principal Accountant of the NPF. The case was referred to the ICAC on
15 February 2003 by the Financial Intelligence Unit.
Regarding part (a) of the PNQ, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that two
cases of alleged misappropriation of fund at the Mauritius Commercial Bank were reported to the
Police as follows (i)
On 26 September 2003, Mr Mousa Mohamed, Chief Auditor at the MCB reported
a case of misappropriation of funds in the amount of Rs632,613,615.00 by Parties
to the prejudice of the MCB.
An enquiry was initiated in the matter.
9
Simultaneously, ICAC was also conducting an enquiry into the matter. The
Police, therefore, referred the case to ICAC in order to avoid duplication of
enquiry.
On 14 April 2004, ICAC, however, referred back the case for investigation
by the Police on ground that they were not empowered to investigate
corruption offences which dated before the coming into force of the
Prevention of Corruption Act 2002.
The Police resumed the enquiry.
However, the enquiry stalled because of the reluctance of the Bank’s
representatives to produce banking documents unless and until a Judge’s Order
was obtained. Applications were accordingly made on two occasions, on 19
February 2008 and 12 December 2008 for a Judge’s Order, but both applications
were unsuccessful. The enquiry, therefore, could not progress and the case was
referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Office for advice on 30 December
2009.
(ii)
On 21 January 2004, Mr Clifford Allet, Fraud Investigator at the MCB reported
that there had been fraudulent misappropriation of a sum of Rs586,244.45 by Mr
Robert Lesage to the prejudice of the MCB. In that respect, I am informed by the
Police that the enquiry had been completed and the case referred to DPP’s Office
on 30 December 2009 suggesting prosecution against Mr Robert Lesage for the
offence of embezzlement.
I am also informed by the Director of ICAC, who investigated the same sets of fact in the
MCB/NPF case post 2002, that the enquiry was completed and prosecution has been instituted
against MCB before the Intermediate Court for the offence of money laundering. The case is
coming for trial on 17 September 2010.
As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Director of ICAC that according
to an official correspondence from Mrs Anna Tamba, Extradition Section of the Home Office
and Mrs Kundert Anne-Marie of the Crown Prosecution Service of the United Kingdom, it is
stated that there is no written ruling from the court concerned in the UK and the case has been
discharged by the court due to Mr Teeren Appassamy’s physical and mental condition. I am
further informed that the court felt that while Mr Teeren Appassamy showed the symptoms, that
had been identified by the doctors treating him and which were confirmed by the doctors
instructed independently by the Crown Prosecution Service, that it would be unjust and
10
oppressive to extradite him.
I am also informed that the court in the UK had previously
adjourned the proceedings so that treatment could be given to Mr Teeren Appassamy in order to
assess whether there had been any improvement in his health.
The court felt that it was not in the interest of justice to adjourn further and the Crown
Prosecution Service informed the court and Mr Teeren Appassamy that if ever his health
improved, there would be a resubmission of his extradition case to the court. As regards the
request for tabling a copy of the judgement from the UK Court, there is no written ruling, but I
am tabling the relevant correspondence from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Regarding part (c) of the question, I should like to inform the House that (a)
there still are a number of court cases, as I have just mentioned, pending in
relation to the MCB/NPF affair;
(b)
the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court last Wednesday is still subject
to the possibility of being appealed against within a period of 21 days from
the date of the judgement;
(c)
insofar
as
the
manner
in
which
the
cases
of
Messrs
Teeren
Appassamy and Robert Lesage have been handled by ICAC, it is the
Parliamentary Committee which has been vested with statutory powers under
sections 59-61 of the Prevention of Corruption Act to monitor and review the
manner in which ICAC generally carries out its functions and additionally has the
power to examine any member of the Board or Officer of ICAC and may even
summon any public officer to answer questions, and
(d)
matter relating to the institution or not of criminal proceedings against Mr Teeren
Appassamy or Mr Robert Lesage or any other suspect ultimately falls within the
prerogatives of the DPP whose acts and decisions, as the House knows, are not
reviewable or questionable otherwise than by the Supreme Court.
Therefore, it would be inappropriate to set up a Select Committee of the House.
Mr Speaker, Sir, when I was the Leader of the Opposition, I had asked a series of Private
Notice Questions to express my concerns about possible cover-ups and the way in which
concerned authorities were handling the whole affair.
I am sure the whole country shares my prevailing concern to know the whole truth about
the biggest financial scandal this country has ever known. I have therefore decided that, at the
11
earliest opportune time, a full-fledged Commission of Inquiry presided by a person having the
status of a Judge should be set up with a comprehensive Terms of Reference.
(Interruptions)
This, I think, should also help to dissipate doubts that have been created in the minds of people
by the campaign of false allegations and innuendos that are being nurtured in certain quarters.
I should add, Mr Speaker, Sir, that there should be no impediments to a Commission of
Inquiry. Should there be any need to amend the law to allow the Commission of Inquiry to
enquire fully, I will not hesitate to do so.
Mr Bérenger: In the first part of my question, Mr Speaker, Sir, I tried to listen as
carefully as possible to the hon. Prime Minister. On Tuesday 22 June, that is, two weeks ago, he
stated, I quote –
“I am informed that the number of cases, both civil and criminal, are still before the
courts”.
If I am not mistaken, I heard him mention only one criminal case. Is that correct?
The Prime Minister: No, Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a series of cases, I understand, that
are in front of the courts, I think I mentioned…
(Interruptions)
But I did say “I would like to inform the House that there are still a number of Court cases pending in
relation with the MCB/NPF affair, including the Police enquiry that is going on”.
Mr Bérenger: Yes, but I asked details of the other cases and we are not provided with
the details because, from what I understand, there was only one case. Does not the hon. Prime
Minister find it extraordinary that the MCB comes forward, makes complaints of fraudulent
behaviour against Mr Robert Lesage and, at the end of the day, it is the ICAC which decides to
bring the MCB before the Court? Does not he find that extraordinary?
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: No, I am sorry, hon. Leader of the Opposition, you are asking the opinion
of the hon. Prime Minister, which he cannot give.
Mr Bérenger: He has given the information; this is what has taken place.
(Interruptions)
It is quite extraordinary. The MCB complains against somebody, ICAC grants him immunity,
and following last Wednesday’s judgement from our Supreme Court which found Messrs Teeren
12
Appassamy and Robert Lesage guilty, and blanchi - that is the word – the MCB, does ICAC still
intend to go forward and, if yes, will Robert Lesage be their star witness?
Mr Speaker: Hon. Leader of the Opposition, the law which has been passed in this
House prevents any Member of the House to put questions and prevents the Executive to answer.
There are certain things that can take place, but not question the procedure of the inquiry which
has been carried out by ICAC. I gave a ruling in this House. The hon. Leader of the Opposition
was the Prime Minister and he, himself, stated in the House that we have limited powers. I hope
that the hon. Leader of the Opposition will understand my position.
Mr Bérenger: I said about what has already taken place, that is, the judgement from our
Supreme Court, last Wednesday…
(Interruptions)
Yes, a civil case which found guilty Messrs Lesage and Appassamy et a blanchi the MCB. Now,
my question is: with that judgement, does ICAC still intend to go forward? If the hon. Prime
Minister does not know, he can tell us he does not know.
The Prime Minister: Perhaps I would just add one clarification, Mr Speaker, Sir, with
your permission. The immunity given to Mr Lesage actually took place in 2004. Mr Beekarry
was the Commissioner of ICAC at that time. I must also say that the MCB at that time did not
contest in writing about the immunity given by ICAC to Mr Teeren Appassamy or Mr Robert
Lesage.
Mr Bérenger: Whether it was Mr Beekarry or somebody else, ICAC took a line of
action which has been proved completely wrong by the Supreme Court judgement last
Wednesday. So, my question is simple: does ICAC intend to carry on and call Mr Lesage as its
star witness?
The Prime Minister: As I said, Mr Speaker, Sir, the immunity given to Mr Lesage, I
again repeat, was in 2004. The hon. Leader of the Opposition himself was Prime Minister at that
time. That is what happened at that time.
Mr Bérenger: Yes, but the Prime Minister, in 2004 or today, does not dictate ICAC.
(Interruptions)
Not to interfere either today or in 2004! That is the law, Mr Speaker, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Yes, fair enough! We agree.
Mr Bérenger: So, the hon. Prime Minister will not reply to my question as to whether
ICAC has decided not to move forward with that case.
13
Mr Speaker: The Prime Minister cannot decide on that.
Mr Bérenger: On the second part of my question, Mr Speaker, Sir, we are told that there
is no judgement as such by the UK Court. Can I ask the hon. Prime Minister who represented us,
the State of Mauritius, in that case?
The Prime Minister: I would take it that it must be somebody from the State Law
Office.
Mr Bérenger: We are not provided with the names of those who represented us before
the UK Court. Did we bring in medical advice against the advice which Mr Appassamy brought
in?
The Prime Minister: The Crown Prosecution Service themselves decided to adjourn the
case to get independent advice separate from Mr Appassamy’s medical doctors who gave the
advice that they gave.
Mr Bérenger: Can we know from the hon. Prime Minister whether due consideration
was given by the State Law Office here and by whoever represented us in London – we are not
provided with names – on appealing against the decision of the UK Court?
The Prime Minister: In fact, when you see the correspondence, the UK Court has said
that we can resubmit the application. There is a condition attached to it and that is what we will
look forward to, Mr Speaker, Sir.
Mr Bérenger: My question was: whether consideration was given to appealing against
the decision? Again, we are not provided with information. I heard, I think, the hon. Prime
Minister say that the Court concerned - by whatever name it is called – with time going by,
consideration will be given to whether the health of Mr Appassamy allows for his extradition.
Can I know from the hon. Prime Minister how closely have we been following that and have we
made any move in that direction?
The Prime Minister: We are following it closely, Mr Speaker, Sir, because we also
want to have all the truth uncovered in this case. I should add - I have just been given the
information as to who represented us – that it was ICAC which was in charge of the extradition
procedures in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Mr Bérenger: Since we have reached the last part of my question, can I know from the
hon. Prime Minister why, until I raised this issue and proposed a Select Committee of the House
- in a Select Committee, as we know, Mr Speaker, Sir, Government would have the majority – to
look into the way ICAC, the State Law Office, authorities in London - authorities on our side, I
14
mean, not on the UK side – have handled this case, only then that he comes forward with a
proposal of a Commission of Inquiry?
(Interruptions)
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am surprised that the hon. Leader of the
Opposition asked this question. In fact, I explained that it would be inappropriate at this point to
have a Select Committee. There are cases in front of the Courts, including a serious case of
money-laundering. But, once it is appropriate, there is no impediment for a Commission of
Inquiry, we will go forward with a Commission of Inquiry. As I said earlier on, there are
criminal and civil cases pending in front of the Court. I should say, Mr Speaker, Sir - perhaps I
should refresh the memory of the House - the event happened on 06 February 2003. Even then,
as the then Leader of the Opposition, I asked a PNQ on 18 March 2003. The then Prime
Minister said that he was informed by Mrs Rojooa that she was worried, something was amiss,
that the money of the NPF and the national savings at the MCB might have disappeared. We are
talking of a lot of money. But nobody was informed, except the then Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance who was the Leader of the Opposition and the Minister of Social Security.
They were informed the next day, that is, on 07 February 2003. Only eight days later, on 14
February 2003, was the Central Bank informed. Even then, the Central Bank – believe it or not –
Mr Speaker, Sir, took three days to send inspectors to MCB to investigate.
(Interruptions)
That is something that we want to have the truth found out, Mr Speaker, Sir.
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: Order!
Mr Bérenger: All these are facts! The point is that ICAC started an inquiry to be
carried out in its full independence. My question was simple: why, until today…
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: Order! I said order!
Mr Bérenger: … when through a PNQ, I asked for a Select Committee to be set up, it is
only then that the hon. Prime Minister comes forward with a request for a Commission of
Inquiry? He chooses not to reply. C’est éloquent, Mr Speaker, Sir! Can I know what will be the
terms of reference of that Commission of Inquiry? Because the whole point is that we are not
satisfied at all the way ICAC has handled this, right going back to 2003. Now, with this
judgement of the Supreme Court last Wednesday, it is a completely new picture. I am not
15
satisfied at all with ICAC, the way the State Law Office advised here and the way we handled
the extradition processes in London. Will the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry to
be set up allow replying to those questions, including what we all know, the political links
between Messrs Appassamy and Lesage, and certain politicians now on the other side there?
(Interruptions)
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I find it amazing again that the hon. Leader of the
Opposition makes these remarks. Why do I say that? He was Prime Minister in 2004, why did
not he then allow things to happen as it is? Why was there not a Select Committee or whatever
done? It is not the fact that he asked for a Select Committee that we say we will have a
Commission of Inquiry. The Select Committee would be inappropriate and I gave the reasons
why. In fact, I am saying that it would be better if we have a Commission of Inquiry, not within
the four walls of Parliament, but outside, with full powers in a person of a Judge, and then, we
can have a look and see whether this is possible. I added, Mr Speaker, Sir, that the judgement of
the Supreme Court to which the hon. Leader of the Opposition is making reference, is still
subject to appeal.
I understand - I saw in the papers - that Mr Lesage has said that he will appeal the
decision. He has, I think, 21 days to appeal the decision. We have to wait for that. I cannot put
a Commission of Inquiry if there is going to be an appeal, it would be sub judice, as you know.
Mr Bérenger: It applies also to the setting up of a Select Committee. The hon. Prime
Minister, therefore, announces today that if there is no appeal, there will be a Commission of
Inquiry. My question, again, relates to the terms of reference, whether it will cover the way
different authorities - starting with ICAC - handled Lesage and Appassamy case, and whether
political links between Messrs Appassamy and Lesage and certain politicians now sitting in
Government, will be included in the terms of reference.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, my wish is that the terms of reference of the
Commission of Inquiry – I should add one thing just to correct the hon. Leader of the
Opposition. Not only there is no appeal, but there are cases also, there is the case of money
laundering, we will have to look at whether there are any impediments. That’s why I said I
would even be prepared to amend the law for the Commission of Inquiry. I believe there would
be no such impediments because most of the cases have already been discussed in Courts. There
are always people who raise the question of banking secrecy, but most of the accounts have
already been discussed in Court. It is in the open Court. Therefore, I would have the terms of
16
reference as wide as possible, including I would like to know why it took so long from 06
February 2003 to 14 February ...
(Interruptions)
I would also like to know why the hon. Leader of the Opposition advised the then Prime
Minister not to say anything to Cabinet at that time.
(Interruptions)
Mr Bérenger: We know who was the Prime Minister then. I hope the hon. present
Prime Minister remembers who was the Prime Minister then. The affair broke out in 2003 and
ICAC started its inquiry; now, five years since the elections of 2005, ICAC goes in the same
direction and we have last Wednesday’s judgement. Now, the hon. Prime Minister tells us that
he is going to wait also what happens to the other cases, including the case of alleged money
laundering. Can I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether he is being serious to throw full light on
what took place in that affair or is he playing for time, the appeal till 21 days, then, cases are
before the Courts?
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am still amazed by the hon. Leader of the
Opposition. Let us look at what he said in 2003 when the then Prime Minister was answering a
question because he is saying that we know who was the Prime Minister. Look at what the
former Prime Minister then said –
“The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance suggested to me that I should not
raise it in Cabinet and that we should find out because of the importance of this bank, that
is, the MCB, in the economic life of this country.”
I could ask the same question: what is the link between the Opposition and the MCB?
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: Order! Order! Order, now! Order!
(Interruptions)
Order! Order, now! Order, please! Order!
Mr Bérenger: There is absolutely no link...
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: Order, I said!
17
Mr Bérenger: ... between the present Opposition and the MCB and the hon. Prime
Minister knows that. He did not quote all that I said. I am sure the hon. Prime Minister is aware
that if that had not been handled carefully, danger of a run on the main bank in the island was
very real and that is why we had to take every precaution. Will he agree with me?
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: Order!
The Prime Minister: I am glad that the hon. Leader of the Opposition thinks that the
MCB is untouchable.
(Interruptions)
I am glad that he is saying that.
(Interruptions)
Mr Bérenger: I said that the danger of the run on the bank, being given that he, himself,
said le trou du scandale était nearly R 900 millions. I wish he wants to be fair. He must know
that with that kind of situation, a run on that bank then was a real danger.
The Prime Minister: Does that mean, therefore, that if a bank does whatever....
(Interruptions)
It is not above the law. That is what I am saying. The MCB should not be above the law.
Mr Bérenger: ICAC was informed, the inquiry started.
There was no hiding of
anything. Will the hon. Prime Minister agree with me also that there were nearly Rs900 m. of
workers’ money, their pensions, that were in danger and that, therefore, the first urgency was to
prevent a run on the bank, the second urgency was to obtain from the bank that there will be
complete refund of that nearly Rs900 m. and that was obtained? Will the hon. Prime Minister
agree with me that these were the two most urgent considerations at the same time that ICAC
and others started their inquiry?
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, in fact, the refund has been made, as far as I
remember. But the point is that, concerning the biggest financial scandal that happened in this
country, on the 6th Government is aware of the problem. They do not mention it and nobody
knows. The MCB is allowed to look at the books, do its own inquiry on itself; only on the 14th is
the Governor of the Bank of Mauritius apparently – God knows, if he was informed before –
from what we see, was informed.
Then he takes three days, only on the 17th, they sent
independent inquirers from the Central Bank. What has happened ...
(Interruptions)
18
Mr Speaker: Hon. Patrick Assirvaden, can I ask you to keep quiet when the hon. Prime
Minister is answering the question? This is the National Assembly here.
The Prime Minister: And I know, Mr Speaker, Sir, that the then Governor of the Bank
went to see the then Director of the MCB; they sat together for three days, God knows what
happened during those conversations. I hope all this will be uncovered because, as I said, a
Commission of Inquiry will take place. That’s why I am saying, if we need to amend the law, as
far as Commissions of Inquiry are concerned - I don’t see much impediment in that - we will do
it, Mr Speaker, Sir.
Mr Bérenger: I have a last question, Mr Speaker, Sir. This was the biggest fraud in the
history of Mauritius. We all agree on that. Will the hon. Prime Minister agree with me that he
targeted certain quarters all through, but, in fact, last Wednesday’s judgement of the Supreme
Court - it is a civil case, but they inquired fully before finding people guilty - found the guilty
parties, Mr Lesage and Mr Appasamy. This is already on record. This is the Court’s judgement.
Therefore, will he agree with me that after this turning point, this Supreme Court judgement,
which has identified the guilty parties, we should have either a Select Committee or a
Commission of Inquiry, but with the correct terms of reference pour faire toute la lumière sur
toute cette affaire une fois pour toutes?
Mr Speaker: I am not answering in the place of the hon. Prime Minister. As far as I
understand, the hon. Prime Minister has said that he will give a full-fledged Commission of
Inquiry with the largest terms of reference and I think that we cannot pre-empt the issue now and
I will ask the hon. Leader of the Opposition if the terms of reference are published - it will have
to be published - then he can come back to this House for any amendment which he thinks fit to
the terms of reference.
Mr Uteem: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether there has been
any prosecution envisaged against any person who has directly or indirectly benefited from the
alleged embezzlement by Mr Lesage?
The Prime Minister: I am sorry, Mr Speaker, Sir, I did not quite understand the
question.
Mr Uteem: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am asking the hon. Prime Minister whether he is aware if
there is any prosecution against any person who has directly or indirectly benefited from the
alleged embezzlement carried out by Mr Lesage?
19
The Prime Minister: In fact, in the ruling of the Court, this is not mentioned, but, as I
said, Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Leader of the Opposition mentioned about links between Messrs
Teeren Appassamy, Robert Lesage and people in the Government. I am not aware of this. But
everything will come out in the Commission of Inquiry starting from the very beginning.
Mr Speaker: I will allow two more questions and I will come back to the hon. Leader of
the Opposition. Hon. Ganoo!
Mr Ganoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, since the recent judgement has made mention of conspiracy
between Mr Lesage and Mr Teeren Appassamy, would the hon. Prime Minister – since
conspiracy is a criminal offence in our law – envisage new procedures to extradite Mr
Appasamy? In view of the averment made in the judgement about the offence of conspiracy,
would therefore new extradition procedures be envisaged or is Mr Appassamy, in fact, the
untouchable one?
The Prime Minister: No! In fact, I said - and the hon. Member knows, but he wants to
make innuendoes and allegations - that we will want the whole truth from the very beginning,
that is, from 06 February. Let me say, from what I understand, the fraud took place even earlier
than 06 February 2003. To answer the hon. Member’s question directly, we will re-submit an
application eventually for Mr Teeren Appassamy to be extradited.
Mr Speaker: Mrs Labelle!
Mrs Labelle: Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir. Regarding the extradition of Mr Appassamy,
since years there are many questions which have been put regarding the lawyer who represented
the Government of Mauritius, but, up to now, we have never received the name of the person, be
it through ICAC, more so that the request for extradition went through the Minister of Foreign
Affairs as per the reply that we received in the House. May I ask the hon. Prime Minister
whether he can give the name of the lawyer, even through ICAC, who represented the Republic
of Mauritius in this case?
The Prime Minister: We will certainly be able to give the name if the hon. Member
wants. But let me say, Mr Speaker, Sir, that, in fact, it was on 13 April 2005 that a request for
extradition of Mr Teeren Appassamy was officially referred to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs
who forwarded it to the Home Office of the United Kingdom. Only on 13 April 2005 was there
20
such a request and I can go through the whole procedure as to how, eventually, Mr Appassamy
was arrested in 2007.
Mr Speaker: Yes, hon. Leader of the Opposition, do you have a question?
Mr Bérenger: Whenever we propose a Commission of Inquiry - it has happened half a
dozen times recently - every time the Prime Minister says: no, because we cannot act criminally no one can be sued criminally on the basis - it would not be right to set up a Commission of
Inquiry because the Police would have to restart the whole inquiry and so on and so forth. But, in
this case, comme par magie, we are going to have, in due course, a Commission of Inquiry when
the Supreme Court last Wednesday has already found the guilty parties. Will not the hon. Prime
Minister agree with me, therefore, that the way forward is not a Commission of Inquiry …
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: Order!
Mr Bérenger: … it is either a Select Committee which works and the Police can carry on
or the Police restart the Police inquiry after the judgement of the Supreme Court last Wednesday,
but la meilleure façon de noyer le poisson venimeux dans l’eau is through a Commission of
Inquiry after all that the Prime Minister has said concerning Commissions of Inquiry.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am again surprised with the Leader of the
Opposition. Every time he asks for Commission of Inquiry, why is it by magie this time, he does
not want a Commission of Inquiry? He should want a Commission of Inquiry.
Mr Bérenger: In fact, the reason is simple.
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: Order now! Order!
Mr Bérenger: Last Wednesday, there was a judgment from the Supreme Court of 200
pages. This is why we are now in a situation where the guilty had been identified by the Supreme
Court. There is no need to waste time unless there is some other purpose. Why not, on the basis
of that judgement, ask the Commissioner of Police to reopen inquiries?
21
The Prime Minister: Let me be clear on this, Mr Speaker, Sir. Who is saying that the
Police are not inquiring? I did say the Police are inquiring. We are going to resubmit an
application for the extradition of Mr Teeren Appassamy, but, in the meantime, instead of a Select
Committee in the closed walls of the National Assembly, we want a full-fledged Commission of
Inquiry with whatever terms we can agree with, as open as it can be, and we will know the result.
But to add to what the hon. Leader of the Opposition is also saying that there has been
judgement, as I explained, Mr Speaker, Sir - and that is why I don’t want to put a Commission of
Inquiry at this point - there are 21 days where the person can appeal and I understand that he is
going to appeal. That is what I read in the papers. There are also some other cases. But we will
have to see when it will be appropriate to put the Commission of Inquiry, but I would want to put
it during the term of this Government. That is why I say that I want the terms of reference, the
law amended if need be.
Mr Speaker: Time is over! May I make an announcement? The Table has been advised
that PQ No. 1B/226 has been withdrawn and that the Table has been further advised that PQ No.
1B/228 addressed to the hon. Prime Minister will now be replied by the hon. Minister of Labour
and Industrial Relations. Questions addressed to the Prime Minister! Hon. Dr. Sorefan! I want
peace and quietness in this House now.
MBC – EMPLOYEES - INTERDICTION
(No. 1B/219) Dr. R. Sorefan (Fourth Member for La Caverne & Phoenix) asked the
Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications whether, in
regard to the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain
from the Corporation, information as to (a)
(b)
the number of employees who have been (i)
suspended or interdicted since 2005 to date, and
(ii)
reinstated to their posts, and
whether any employee has not been re-instated and, if so, the number thereof and
the reasons therefor.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, in regard to part (a) (i) of the question, I am
informed by the Director-General of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation that from 2005 to
22
date, 15 employees of the Corporation had been interdicted from the exercise of their duties.
Two of them were interdicted twice during that period.
In regard to part (a) (ii) of the question, six employees have been reinstated in their
respective posts and one employee has left the service of the Corporation.
As regards part (b) of the question, I am further informed by the Director-General that
eight employees have not been reinstated so far.
Six of these employees would be required to appear before a Disciplinary Committee in
view of the seriousness of the alleged offences once administrative formalities would have been
finalised.
In the two other cases, the matter was referred to the Police as the alleged offences were
of a criminal nature. The outcome of the Police inquiry in one of these two cases has been
received and the Corporation is seeking legal advice on the course of action to be followed. In
regard to the second case, the outcome of Police inquiry is awaited.
RAMADAN – VISITING MAULANAS - VISA
(No. 1B/220) Ms K. R. Deerpalsing (Third Member for Belle Rose & Quatre Bornes)
asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications
whether, in regard to visiting maulanas, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the
Commissioner of Police if instead of a 30-day, a 40-day visa could be issued to them during the
period of Ramadan.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, maulanas visiting Mauritius during the Ramadan
period are eligible for a social visa for a period of 30 days. However, upon request, some
maulanas are allowed to stay for a few more days.
I understand the point that the hon. Member is making that 30 days might not be enough
– I think the hon. Member is talking about the Ramadan period. Extension of such social visas
for maulanas during the Ramadan period will be looked at positively on a case to case basis and
will be extended, if so requested.
Ms Deerpalsing: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the hon. Prime Minister for his answer. Is the
hon. Prime Minister aware that the specific problem is, precisely, as he said, for the Ramadan
period when the Hafiz come here to read the Quran. Then because Ramadan is exactly 30 days,
the Hafiz have to leave on the very day of Eid, so they are not able to even celebrate Eid when
23
they have stayed here for 29 days and read the Quran. Would the hon. Prime Minister see to it,
as the Ramadan period is coming soon, that the Hafiz are able to stay, at least, to celebrate Eid on
the day of Eid?
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, the law says that you can have three types of visa.
There is a tourist visa which, I think, is between two months and six months; there is a business
which is up for three months, and then there is a social visa, which falls under the item social
which is for one month. As the hon. Member has pointed out to us, we will extend that,
especially if it falls under the Ramadan. It makes sense that we extend that period.
PALM COURT, NHDC, PALMA & RÉSIDENCE BEAU SÉJOUR, QUATRE
BORNES – CCTV - INSTALLATION
(No. 1B/221) Ms K. R. Deerpalsing (Third Member for Belle Rose & Quatre Bornes)
whether, as announced in the Government Programme 2010-2015, he will, for the benefit of the
House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, if consideration will be given for the installation
of Close Circuits Television Surveillance System (CCTV) at –
(a)
Palm Court, NHDC, Palma, and
(b)
Résidence Beau Séjour, Quatre Bornes.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, Government has already implemented the Closed
Circuit Television (CCTV) Street Surveillance System in the Flic en Flac region since April
2009 and in strategic positions along the St. Jean Road in Quatre Bornes since December 2009.
As the House is already aware, the project for the installation of a CCTV Street Surveillance
System in Port Louis and Grand’ Baie is under way and is expected to be completed by the end
of August 2010.
Mr Speaker, Sir, Government is fully committed to ensure the safety and security of our
citizens as well as of visitors. This commitment has been reiterated in the Government
Programme of 2010–2015 wherein we have announced our intention to extend the CCTV to
other regions, particularly in high risk areas.
In this connection, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the Police are
planning the project for the extension of the CCTV Surveillance System by taking into
consideration the wider public interest and also the availability of funds.
24
Accordingly, the Police have prioritised the following areas where CCTV Street
Surveillance System will be set up (a)
the towns of Beau Bassin and Rose Hill and their adjoining areas;
(b)
the tourist resort area starting from Belle Mare passing through Palmar to Trou
d’Eau Douce, including Ile aux Cerfs;
(c)
the town of Curepipe and its adjoining areas and lateral areas;
(d)
the Mahebourg Waterfront and adjoining areas;
(e)
busy villages such as Goodlands, Central Flacq, Rivière du Rempart and Rose
Belle which comprise market fairs and bus terminals and where socio-economic
and commercial activities are on the increase, and
(f)
extension of the adjoining areas and lateral areas to the town of Quatre Bornes.
Mr Speaker, Sir, consideration will also be given to cover the two regions of Palm Court,
NHDC Complex at Palma and Résidence Beau Séjour at Quatre Bornes. In fact, the Police said
they could link the CCTV system of Quatre Bornes to that of Rose Hill when the system will be
implemented and that will cover those areas.
Mr Bérenger: Mr Speaker, Sir, the CCTV camera systems have for years in the UK, for
example, been an important tool in combating crimes, stolen vehicles and so on. I am sure the
hon. Prime Minister is aware of matters of privacy and that is why in the UK for years now, there
has been an independent regulator to supervise it all. But right now, I am sure he is aware, the
debate is on for strengthening governance of the whole system, what kind of evidence is kept, for
how long, under whose control and so on. Legislation is being prepared right now. Has the hon.
Prime Minister given consideration to the possibility of bringing in regulations or legislation to
regulate the use for privacy purposes, the use of CCTV cameras?
The Prime Minister: We have to look at the two. On the one side, there is privacy
which I am also very concerned with as the hon. Leader of the Opposition has said. But, on the
other hand, there is the public interest that we have to look at. In fact, I was surprised, in the UK,
Mr Speaker, Sir, this has come out that now they want to put microphones together with the
CCTV so that they will listen to what people are saying. That goes even further than the CCTV
cameras. But we will certainly have to look at this. And we will have to balance on the one side
the privacy interests, but, on the other hand, the public interests.
25
Ms Deerpalsing: Sir, may I just ask one last supplementary? In view of the answer
given by the hon. Prime Minister, and because the Government Programme talks about high risk
areas, would the hon. Prime Minister consider that those areas, where citizens complain about
drug smuggling and so on and so forth, be given the highest priority?
The Prime Minister: In fact, that is why we consider some of the areas as priorities,
because not only there are thefts, larcenies and all this, but also people possibly dealing with
drugs. So, that is why we want to cover those areas as well.
VICTORIA & SSRN HOSPITALS – POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS
(No. 1B/222) Mr S. Dayal (Third Member for Quartier Militaire & Moka) asked the
regard to post mortem examinations which are presently being carried out at the Victoria and
SSRN Hospitals, he will state if Government is envisaging to extend these services to other
hospitals.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed that at present, post-mortem
examinations are carried out at SSRN Hospital, Pamplemousses and Victoria Hospital, Candos.
The two mortuary houses located at these hospitals, it is felt, are properly equipped with
appropriate facilities for conducting autopsies in hospital and medico-legal cases.
Post-mortem examinations which used to take place also at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital will
resume at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital on completion of phase I of the hospital which is scheduled for
December of this year.
Although it is felt, Mr Speaker, Sir, that the number of existing mortuary houses is
adequate for the whole country, I understand why the hon. Member might have put that question.
Consideration will be given for mortuary facilities to be made available at Jawaharlal Nehru
Hospital and Flacq Hospital in due course.
AMBASSADORS/ADVISERS - ACTIVE POLITICS
(No. 1B/223) Mr C. Fakeemeeah (Third Member for Port Louis Maritime & Port
Louis East) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External
Communications whether, in regard to active politics, he will state if Ambassadors and Advisers
are allowed to engage therein.
26
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is in the negative in the context of
existing policy whereby Ambassadors and Advisers are not allowed to engage in active politics
while in office.
Mr Fakeemeeah: I would like to ask the hon. Prime Minister what will be his stand
concerning advisers from his own office if we come forward with evidence concerning their
taking part in the last general election?
The Prime Minister: The one political adviser in my office that I suppose the hon.
Member is referring to is Dr. Jhurry. He resigned before the election.
MBC – EMPLOYEES - TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
(No. 1B/224) Mr R. Bhagwan (First Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked
the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications whether,
in regard to the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain
from the Corporation, information as to –
(a)
(b)
the number of employees employed on –
(i)
a full time;
(ii)
part time basis, and
their respective posts and their terms and conditions of employment.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, the information is being compiled and will be
placed in the Library.
Mr Bhagwan: I have one supplementary question for the hon. Prime Minister. Is the
hon. Prime Minister aware that a Chief Executive Officer of a parastatal body is also doing part
time at the MBC? Is it normal that a Chief Executive Officer of a parastatal body is engaged as
part-timer at the MBC/TV?
The Prime Minister: Offhand like this, I do not see why this cannot take place, but I can
look into the matter if the hon. Member will refer the names specifically to me, privately, maybe.
Mr Bhagwan: Not at a private level, Sir, but a Chief Executive Officer of a parastatal
body cannot go and engage as a part-timer.
The Prime Minister: I don’t know under what section the hon. Member is referring to.
(Interruptions)
27
Mr Bhagwan: I will tell the hon. Prime Minister where he is engaged. It is in a Hindi
emission – ‘Woh din Yaad Karo’. A Chief Executive Officer of a parastatal body is engaged in
that particular programme and we want to know how much is being paid to that officer?
The Prime Minister: I understand he believes he can sing very well, Mr Speaker, Sir.
That’s what my understanding is. I am not saying I agree with it, but I understand that he
believes he can sing very well.
(Interruptions)
Whether people believe he can sing very well is another matter.
Mr Speaker: I don’t think the hon. Member can stop me if I want to go and sing at the
MBC.
(Interruptions)
Mr Bhagwan: You are laughing. It is our hundred rupees which pay that gentleman.
(Interruptions)
He is earning Rs200,000 monthly…
Mr Speaker: Mr Bhagwan, please!
Mr Bhagwan: But let the hon. Prime Minister inquire. He is not singing, but he is
making other people sing!
(Interruptions)
The Prime Minister: I will certainly inquire into it.
(Interruptions)
Mr Speaker: Order!
The Prime Minister: In fact, I can say to the hon. Member now that the person he is
referring to is about to be replaced where he is at the moment.
WORLD ANTI-DRUG ABUSE DAY - CATHÉDRALE ST. LOUIS SQUARE
(No. 1B/225) Mr A. Ameer Meea (First Member for Port Louis Maritime & Port
Louis East) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External
28
Communications whether, in regard to the 23rd celebration of the World Anti-drug Abuse Day
by the Mouvement Anti-Drogue at Cathédrale St. Louis Square in Port Louis, on or about
Saturday 26 June 2010, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of
Police, information as to whether the projection of a film on the Prevention Against Drug Abuse
was prohibited by the Police and, if so, the reasons therefor.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that
on 24 June 2010, he received a letter dated 22 June signed by Messrs I. D. and A. L. representing
the “Mouvement Anti-Drogue”, in which they sought for authorisation to hold a public gathering
on Saturday 26 June of this year from 18.30 hrs to 22.00 hrs, at the “Place de la Cathédrale de
Port Louis”. The activity was to be organised in the context of the International Day Against
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
On 25 June 2010, that is, one day before, Mr A. L. called at the Metropolitan South
Police Division and gave a statement in which he confirmed the organisation of the public
gathering on 26 June, that is, the next day. He also stated that a public address system would be
utilised as there would be addresses by social workers, a show by local artists and the projection
of a film on a giant screen.
He requested for Police assistance during the gathering and
undertook to abide by all Police directives and obtain all necessary clearances prior to the date of
the event.
On the same date, he submitted to the Police, clearances from the Municipal Council of
Port Louis, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, the Mauritius Society of Authors and the
Cathédrale St. Louis. However, no clearance from the Film Classification Board was produced
for the projection of the film.
On 26 June 2010, the Police informed Mr A. L. of its no objection to the holding of the
public gathering. However, no authorisation was granted for the projection of the film in view of
the fact that no certificate of exhibition issued by the Film Classification Board in accordance
with the provisions of the Films Act of 2002 had been submitted.
Mr Speaker, Sir, the “Mouvement Anti-Drogue” held its gathering in the private
compound of “La Cure de la Cathédrale Saint Louis”, and publicly projected the 30 minute clip
on a giant screen in spite of the fact that it had not obtained the prior approval of the Films
Classification Board. The Police have, therefore, initiated an enquiry in the matter.
29
Mr Ameer Meea: Mr Speaker, Sir, can I ask the hon. Prime Minister if any person has
been arrested in relation to the film diffused?
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, nobody is above the law in this country whoever
he is and if the law has been broken the Police are enquiring, if they have to arrest, they will
arrest.
Mr Barbier: Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Prime Minister is stating that there is a projection
of a film in the yard of the parish. Is this considered to be a public place?
Mr Speaker: The hon. Member is asking for an opinion from the hon. Prime Minister.
This is not allowed.
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION/SEX DISCRIMINATION
DIVISION – MEMBERS
(No. 1B/226) Mrs L. Ribot (Third Member for Stanley & Rose Hill) asked the Prime
Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications whether, in regard to
the National Human Rights Commission and the Sex Discrimination Division thereof, he will,
for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commission, information, in each case, as to (a)
the names of the members, and
(b)
their respective date of appointment.
(Withdrawn)
PRISONS – AMMUNITIONS & EQUIPMENT - PURCHASE
(No. 1B/227) Mr V. Baloomoody (Third Member for GRNW & Port Louis West)
whether, in regard to the protection of Prison Officers whilst on duty, he will, for the benefit of
the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Prisons, information as to the last time ammunitions
and equipment were purchased.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Commissioner of Prisons
that several equipment and ammunitions are available for use by the Prison officers for their
protection in accordance with the existing protocol.
30
I am also apprised that equipment and ammunitions were last purchased by the Prisons
Department in March 2003, to add to the existing ones. In addition, a few other equipment have
been issued on loan by the Police Department in February and June of this year. The existing
protective equipments are resistant to wear and tear and have a long life span.
Mr Speaker, Sir, following the events of last week at the Grand River North West Prison,
I have given instruction that a comprehensive organisational audit of our prisons should be
carried out. In the light of this exercise, consideration will be given for the acquisition of such
other security equipment, as may be necessary.
I should also add that a security audit, in fact, had been started on 01 March 2010, that is,
before the problem arose. But the organisational audit has been requested to the Office of Public
Sector Governance on 30 June 2010.
Mr Bérenger: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think I have heard the hon. Prime Minister say that no
new security equipment for the prison service has been purchased since 2003. And then, he
added - if I heard him correctly – that only this year twice the Police lent equipment to the prison
services. Can I know which equipment that was?
The Prime Minister: I don’t know whether it would be proper to say exactly what
equipment. In fact, I have talked to President Sarkozy when he was Interior Minister and he had
agreed that certain equipment being used in France could be used here. Here, we find some legal
impediments to, in fact, having those equipment and we are looking into that. But all the
equipment were given by the Police.
Dr. S. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, can I ask the hon. Prime Minister who shall have the
responsibility of the security audit on the prisons? Is it going to be the same officers who have
done it before or is it going to be an independent Body?
The Prime Minister: Because it touches security, Mr Speaker, Sir, we need to have the
expertise to be able to do that security audit. We are looking at not the same persons, but Police
from the Police Force would be included in that.
Mr Bérenger: The question is simple. The hon. Prime Minister himself went out of his
way to say that this security audit had started before the Grand River Prison mutiny. If it started
before, some people must have been doing the work. Can we be informed who they are?
31
The Prime Minister: Yes, I can give the names of who are the people. I don’t have the
names with me here, but I can give the hon. Member the names of who were involved in the
security audit and also for the organisational audit. As I said, the office of public sector
governance should have a new name for it. But also perhaps in the security of audit, there has
been a committee which was set up under the chairmanship of the National Security Adviser.
Mr Uteem: Mr Speaker, Sir, can I ask the hon. Prime Minister, in respect to Prison
officers who have contact with inmates who have AIDS, whether special equipment are being
provided to protect these officers?
The Prime Minister: What equipment did the hon. Member have in mind?
Mr Uteem: Some officers have been complaining that they are being threatened by their
inmates with AIDS; they use syringes and so on. I don’t know whether any protection gloves
could be provided to them. I would like to know whether there is any inquiry made to find out
whether special equipment need to be provided to these officers.
The Prime Minister:
I think this issue was raised when the hon. Leader of the
Opposition was Prime Minister. If the hon. Member will remember, there was an attempt to
attack Inspector Tuyau with a syringe which was contaminated. All these were linked into.
That’s why I asked the hon. Member what specific equipment else can be provided.
Mr Bhagwan: Can I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether, in the course of the audit,
consideration is also given to the whole telecommunication network and the transport service
within the Police department?
The Prime Minister: All this is being looked at, Mr Speaker, Sir.
INDUSTRIAL COURT – EMPLOYEES - LEGAL ASSISTANCE
(No. 1B/228) Mr V. Baloomoody (Third Member for GRNW & Port Louis West)
whether, in regard to the Legal Aid Act, he will state if Government proposes to bring
amendments thereto with a view to making provision for employees to benefit from legal
assistance in litigations before the Industrial Court.
(Withdrawn)
32
PRISONS – DETAINEES – NUMBER & EXPENSES INCURRED
(No. 1B/229) Mr R. Issack (Fourth Member for Stanley & Rose Hill) asked the Prime
detainees in the prisons, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of
Prisons, information as to (a)
the number of male and female thereof in each prison, and
(b)
the annual average expenses incurred by the State per detainee.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Commissioner of Prisons
that the prison population for Mauritius and Rodrigues, as at 01 July 2010 stands at 2,308 male
and 136 female detainees in the nine prisons and one Correctional Youth Centre as follows INSTITUTION
MALE
FEMALE
Central Prison, Beau Bassin
1336
Nil
New Wing, Beau Bassin Prison
233
Nil
Grand River North West Remand Prison
322
Nil
Richelieu Open Prison
84
Nil
Petit Verger Prison
256
Nil
Phoenix Prison
18
Nil
Women Prison
Nil
136
Correctional Youth Centre
32
Nil
Rodrigues Prison (Male)
27
Nil
Rodrigues Prison (Female)
Nil
Nil
In regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that the annual average expenses
incurred by the State per detainee are Rs138,733.
33
Mr Issack: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I know from the hon. Prime Minister how many
detainees are foreigners?
The Prime Minister: There are some, but I don’t have the list with me. For the
foreigners, in certain countries, we have an agreement. Some countries don’t want to have the
agreement with us. But I can tell the hon. Member - I don’t think they have given me the exact
number - I have answered a question on this in the past, Mr Speaker, Sir, but I can certainly give
you the number of people who are of foreign nationality and who are actually in the prisons.
PRISONS – BOARD OF VISITORS
(No. 1B/230) Mr A. Ganoo (First Member for Savanne & Black River) asked the
regard to the Board of Visitors for each of the prison institutions, he will, for the benefit of the
House, obtain from the Commissioner of Prisons, information as to the number of Boards which
have been established as at to date, indicating in each case (a)
their composition;
(b)
the name of the Chairperson;
(c)
the number of meetings held and the number of visits effected by the Board to its
respective institution since first January 2010 to date.
The Prime Minister:
Mr Speaker, Sir, section 53 of the Reform Institutions Act
provides for the establishment for every institution of a Board of Visitors as may be necessary.
A Board of Visitors assigned to a prison shall be composed of not less than three Magistrates, a
Law Officer and four other members, three of whom shall not hold public office.
Section 53(3) of the Reform Institution Act provides that a Board of Visitors assigned to
a Correctional Youth Centre shall be composed of not less than eight members. Both Boards
were last constituted in 2003.
I should point out, Mr Speaker, Sir, that we are in the process of setting up the National
Preventive Mechanism whose main functions will be to visit places of detention so as to examine
the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty with a view to ensuring their protection against
torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to make recommendations
regarding the improvement of the treatment of detainees. The National Preventive Mechanism
which is about to be set up will thus take over the functions of the Visiting Boards.
34
In this regard, a draft legislation has been prepared for the establishment of the National
Preventive Mechanism and is now being finalised in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
We hope to introduce this legislation as soon as this process is over.
This is in line with the Government Programme 2010-2015, where we have stated that, as
part of our obligations under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations’ Convention against
Torture, Mauritius will set up a National Preventive Mechanism which will ensure that the
conditions prevailing in our prisons, Police cells and other places of detention comply with the
human rights obligations and the provisions of the protocol.
I should also like to point out, Mr Speaker, Sir, that the National Human Rights
Commission is also empowered to visit any Police station, prison or other place of detention
under the control of the State to study the living conditions of the inmates and the treatment
afforded to them.
I am informed that the National Human Rights Commission has since 2005 to date
effected 16 visits to the prisons.
Mr Ganoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, the announcement of the hon. Prime Minister of setting up
this new mechanism confirms, in fact, that the other structures set up in the Reform Institutions
Act have not worked properly in the past.
The problem is that we can set up as many
mechanisms as we want to, like the ones to be found in the Reform Institutions Act, but the
question is practically how will these institutions work. True it is that this is the first time that
such a measure is being announced, but, in practice, if these institutions had worked in the
prisons, I don’t think we would have reached where we are today. The question I am putting to
the hon. Prime Minister is: what guarantee can he give to the House that, in practice, the new
mechanism that he is proposing to set up will, in fact, work?
Mr Speaker: The hon. Member knows very well that the Prime Minister has just said
that he will bring a Bill to the House. The question, that the hon. Member has asked, goes
against the rule of anticipation. I think that he will have to wait for the Bill to come to the
House, and then raise that point and, perhaps, move for amendments.
Mr Ganoo: The Prime Minister has said that this Body will be set up by legislation.
Does he have an idea of the constitution of the Body? For example, will it be made up of
lawyers, magistrates?
35
Mr Speaker: That again infringes the rule of anticipation! Next question!
PRISONS – ACCOMMODATION CAPACITY
regard to the prison institutions, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the
Commissioner of Prisons, information, in each case, as to –
(a)
the accommodation capacity;
(b)
the actual number of inmates;
(c)
the number of detainees on remand, and
(d)
the number of prison officers in post.
The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am tabling the information requested by the hon.
Member.
Mr Speaker: Questions addressed to hon. Ministers! Hon. Seetaram!
TROU D’EAU DOUCE/BEL AIR – BUS SERVICE
(No. 1B/232) Mr J. Seetaram (Second Member for Montagne Blanche & GRSE)
asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and
Shipping whether, in regard to public transport from Trou d’Eau Douce to Bel Air, he will state
if he is aware of the hardships caused to the students and elderly persons of the region as a result
of the absence of bus services thereat and, if so, will he consider the introduction of a bus service
to serve that route.
Mr Bachoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, following request from inhabitants of Trou d’Eau Douce
and Bel Air, the NTA was requested to look into the nature of the problems faced by them. I am
pleased to inform the House that the issues raised have been addressed to the satisfaction of the
inhabitants.
CAROLINE, ECROIGNARD & BRAMSTHAN - WATER SUPPLY
asked the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities whether, in regard to
36
water supply, he will state if he is aware of the irregularity and quality thereof in the region of
Caroline, Ecroignard and Bramsthan and, if so, will he, for the benefit of the House, obtain from
the Central Water Authority, information as to the remedial actions that will be taken.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities (Dr. R.
Beebeejaun): I am informed by the Central Water Authority that the region of Caroline,
Ecroignard and Bramsthan are supplied from Caroline borehole, which is operated on a 24-hour
basis. I am aware that water supply in the region needs to be improved, and that some 50 houses
in Upper Ecroignard do not receive adequate water supply because they are situated on high
elevation, and valve operations are carried out daily to supply these consumers.
The Central Water Authority is implementing a project to pump water from Caroline
borehole to the new Belle Rose Clemencia Service reservoir. Two separate pipelines will be laid
from that reservoir to supply the regions in question.
I am glad to inform the House that the contract has already been awarded to Sotravic for
the value of Rs69 m., and works are expected to be completed in May 2011. Upon completion of
the works, water supply will be substantially improved in the region.
GLEN PARK-CUREPIPE – LINK ROAD
asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and
Shipping whether, in regard to the link road from Glen Park to Curepipe via Pont Malakoff, he
will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Road Development Authority, information as
to the expected date of completion thereof.
Mr Bachoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, this is a new proposal, which requires a preliminary study
on the proposed alignment. In addition, a feasibility study needs also to be carried out.
QUARTIER MILITAIRE – SWIMMING POOL
Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping
whether, in regard to the construction of a swimming pool at Quartier Militaire, he will state
where matters stand.
The Minister of Youth and Sports (Mr S. Ritoo): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your
permission, I am going to answer to this question.
37
Mr Speaker, Sir, a plot of land of an extent of 8,354 m2 at Quartier Militaire has been
vested with my Ministry for the construction of a swimming pool. The project has so far not
been implemented due to unavailability of funds.
However, I have been informed by the Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands
that this project will be funded and implemented by the Local Infrastructure Fund.
I am also informed that a geotechnical study will be carried out to assess the suitability of
the land for the project. The Local Infrastructure Fund will hire the services of a specialist
contractor for the study. Bids to that effect are being evaluated.
Mr Dayal: Can I know from the hon. Minister when the geotechnical study will be
carried out?
Mr Ritoo: It is actually being studied, Sir.
MGSS, MOKA - FOOTBALL GROUND
Minister of Education and Human Resources whether, in regard to the project for the putting up
of a football ground at Mahatma Gandhi State Secondary School at Moka, he will state where
matters stand, indicating the estimated cost and the expected dates of commencement and
completion of the works.
Dr. Bunwaree: Mr Speaker, Sir, the construction of a football ground forms part of the
Phase IV of the construction project at Mahatma Gandhi Secondary School (MGSS), Moka,
which comprises also a Dance/Music Block, Communication, Design Technology/Home
Economics Block, and a Computer/Library Block.
Given that similar Phase IV of the construction projects have also to be implemented at
the MGSSs at Nouvelle France, Solferino and Flacq, my Ministry and the Ministry of Public
Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping adopted a holistic
approach with a view to harmonising the works to be undertaken and to be provided to these
schools remaining facilities.
I am informed that this fourth phase of the MGSS at Moka will cost around Rs142 m. I
am also informed that, presently, the MPI is working on the detailed drawings and draft bidding
documents for the Phase IV works in these MGSSs. It is expected that bidding documents will be
finalised in October 2010, and tenders will be launched in November 2010.
38
Works are expected to start in February 2011. I would like to point out that, during
implementation, the football ground will be undertaken in the first part of the project. According
to this time frame, the football ground could be completed by August 2011, should the tendering
exercise and implementation of the project proceed smoothly, of course.
MOKA BYPASS - CONSTRUCTION
whether, in regard to the project for the construction of the Moka bypass, from Réduit to Verdun,
he will state where matters stand.
Mr Bachoo: The RDA is working on the feasibility and design of the project, which is
expected to be completed in September this year.
JEAN LEBRUN GOVERNMENT SCHOOL – EXTENSION WORKS
(No. 1B/238) Mr A. Ameer Meea (First Member for Port Louis Maritime & Port
Louis East) asked the Minister of Education and Human Resources whether, in regard to the
Jean Lebrun Government School, he will state (a)
the cost of the Phase I extension work;
(b)
when the Phase II construction works are expected to start, indicating -
(c)
(i)
its duration;
(ii)
the cost thereof, and
where matters stand in relation to the upgrading of its football ground, indicating
if money has already been earmarked.
Dr. Bunwaree: Mr Speaker, Sir, as regards part (a), the answer is Rs21.8 m.
Regarding part (b), works are expected to start by end of November 2010 and completed
by end of July 2012. The estimated cost of works is around Rs62 m.
As regards the upgrading of the football ground, my Ministry has earmarked funds for the
implementation of the project. The National Development Unit (NDU) of the Ministry of Public
Infrastructure, NDU, Land Transport and Shipping, has already carried out a survey, and is now
working on the design, scope of works and the cost estimates, which would be ready by next
month.
39
STC - MILK POWDER - DESTRUCTION
Louis East) asked the Minister of Industry and Commerce whether he will, for the benefit of the
House, obtain from the State Trading Corporation, information as to –
(a)
whether the Corporation has recently proceeded with the destruction of forty-five
tonnes of milk powder, brand name Oasis, at Mare Chicose, and, if so, the reasons
therefor, and
(b)
whether appropriate clearances were obtained from the authorities prior to its
importation.
Mr Soodhun: Mr Speaker Sir, I am informed by the State Trading Corporation (STC)
that, on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, 40 metric tonnes of
milk of Oasis brand were destroyed on 14 May 2010, as they did not comply with the
Regulations 39(a) and (d) and 270 of the GN 173 of 1999.
With regard to part (b) of the question, I am advised that, before importation of the milk,
a sample had been sent to the Food Importation Unit of the Ministry of Health and Quality of
Life, and was analysed by the Government Analyst Division. The test found that the full cream
milk powder complied with the Food Regulations GN 173 of 1999, and was free from vegetable
fats or starch materials.
However, when the consignment was received on 13 April 2008, the Ministry of Health
and Quality of Life found that (i)
the milk did not comply with the food regulations;
(ii)
the milk powder which was labelled “instant full cream milk” was not full cream,
though it was labelled “instant full cream milk”. It was found to be filled milk, in
which the milk fat had been replaced by vegetable fat, and
(iii)
the milk packet did not mention the country of origin.
STC made a claim for refund to the supplier Qingdao United Dairy, which has agreed to
refund the total cost.
Mr Fakeemeeah: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister inform the House of the amount of
loss incurred in purchasing and destroying this milk powder?
40
Mr Soodhun: Mr Speaker, Sir, I just mentioned there was no loss, and the total cost was
Rs3,752,136.
RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL & CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS – FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
Louis East) asked the Minister of Tourism and Leisure whether he will state if, for the period
2005 to December 2009, his Ministry has given any allowances, grants or other financial
assistance to any religious, social, cultural or other organisation and, if so, give in each case,
the details of the amounts and the reasons therefor.
Mr Bodha: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed that the Ministry, in pursuit of its objectives
to meet the population’s needs for leisure and to ensure that maximum leisure opportunities are
accessible to one and all, has been adopting a two-pronged approach. First, activities have been
organised at local and national level and, second, sponsorship is extended to various
organisations, upon request, through the provision of financial assistance, towards meeting the
costs of the leisure components of activities organised by them.
Mr Speaker Sir, I am informed that, in this regard, my Ministry very frequently receives
requests from various organisations, including religious, social and cultural throughout the
island, to sponsor their activities or the leisure components of these activities. The Ministry
examines these requests on their merits and, on being satisfied that they are bona fide
organisations and that the activities which they propose to organise will really provide moments
of leisure to the target communities, in these cases, the Ministry approves those requests either in
toto, or partly contribute towards the costs of such activities.
Mr Speaker Sir, I am also informed that some 75 organisations throughout the island have
benefited from such assistance since 2005 to date. The amount of financial contribution depends
on availability of funds, nature of the activities organised, the total costs involved, the targeted
audience, the financial resources of the organisation, etc. On average, my Ministry has disbursed
around Rs400,000 annually over the past five years to support financially the leisure activities
organised by various organisations. Examples of sponsorship extended are as follows •
Defenders Social and Welfare for the organisation of Qawali night;
•
Brahma Kumari Raja Yoga Centre for family health campaign awareness;
41
•
Rotary Club of Quatre Bornes for the sponsorship of activities for employees of the
Tourism Sector;
•
Anglican Diocese of Mauritius for Christmas celebrations;
•
Tamil Federation for the celebration of Varusha Pirappu;
•
Sunnee Mosque for Eid celebration;
•
Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture for Journée Internationale Kréol;
•
Association Jeunesse Sud for Regatta Festival;
•
Black River & Plaine Wilhems Kovil Organisation for leisure event, and
•
L’Ombre de la Lumière for the organisation of a concert in the context of World
Women’s Day Celebration.
Mr Speaker, Sir, the detailed information being requested by the hon. Member is being
compiled and, with your permission, will be placed in the Library of the National Assembly.
NDU - CONSTRUCTION WORKS
Louis East) asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land
Transport and Shipping whether, in regard to construction works carried out by his Ministry, he
will, for each of the past five years, give a list thereof, indicating in each case(a)
the cost, and
(b)
if tendering procedures were followed.
Mr Bachoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, the information is being compiled and will be placed in the
Library of the House.
The tendering procedures have been followed where appropriate.
GAMBLING HOUSES – RELOCATION
(No. 1B/242) Mr R. Uteem (Second Member for Port Louis South & Port Louis
Central) asked the vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development
42
whether, in regard to the relocation of gambling activities as announced in the Government
Programme 2010-2015, he will state if (a)
the designated areas have already been identified, and
(b)
a time frame has been set for the closure of gaming houses in residential and
commercial areas.
Mr Jugnauth: Mr Speaker, Sir, as the House is aware, this Government is firmly
committed to protecting the society at large from the harm and unintended consequences of
gambling and its associated ills. To this effect, Government has set up a High Level Committee
under the Chairmanship of the hon. Prime Minister to examine the proliferation of gaming
houses and discotheques in the country. A Technical Committee under the Chairmanship of the
Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service has also been set up along the lines, and I am
informed that it has submitted its Report for consideration to the High Level Committee.
Mr Speaker, Sir, pending the carrying out of the necessary financial, legal and social
assessments as regards the specific zones to be identified for the purpose of relocation of
gaming houses, all measures are being taken to ensure the strict monitoring of gambling
activities in the country and the enforcement of the provisions of the Gambling Regulatory
Authority Act 2007.
Furthermore, as the House is aware, no new licences for the running of gaming houses,
betting shops and discotheques are being issued until further notice.
I also wish to inform the House that prior to the setting up of the Gambling Regulatory
Authority, there was an established monitoring mechanism that was used to comprise at that time
of the ex-VAT Department, the URB Squad and Officers from the Gaming Board, to ensure that
the conditions of licences issued were being complied with. The responsibility for these activities
was subsequently vested in the GRA.
In view of the pressing need to strengthen the monitoring mechanism, it is envisaged to
reinforce the Inspectorate Division of the GRA to increase the frequency of inspections that are
carried out for the collaboration of the relevant Authorities.
Mr Uteem: Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Minister mentioned that new licences are not being
issued. What about licences that come to expiration, are these being renewed or are these not
being renewed?
43
Mr Jugnauth: Well, on a case to case basis, we will have to seek the advice of the SLO
in order to take appropriate decisions.
Mr Bhagwan: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is a known fact that these gambling activities are
causing havoc in Mauritius. We have discussed lengthily in the House, more than one year,
concerning the problems raised at Quatre Bornes, Ti-Vegas, at Vacoas recently and even in my
constituency. Can we have a definite time frame from the hon. Minister? Because the people of
Mauritius must know exactly the timetable of Government as far as this issue is concerned, its
implementation, its recommendations and when, at least, concrete action will be taken
concerning Ti-Vegas, the one in Vacoas and even in Beau Bassin?
Mr Jugnauth: I have just replied, Mr Speaker, Sir, that the Technical Committee has
submitted its report to the High Powered Committee and I have, in fact, the recommendations of
the Technical Committee. There are few things that we have to look at further with regard to
certain matters and, of course, it will have to follow its procedure.
The High Powered
Committee will look at all these recommendations. It will also have to go to Cabinet for
approval and then we will come up with the new policy.
Mr Ganoo: Can the hon. Minister inform the House who will bear the cost of these
relocation activities? Is it the State or operators themselves?
Mr Jugnauth: It is again subject to the recommendations that have been made. In the
light of these recommendations, we will analyse the implications of those recommendations and
we will come up with decisions that have to be taken and then we will know.
Ms Deerpalsing: Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the fact that the Government Programme
talks about relocation and the question is about time frame and given that the GRA is already in
presence of the expiry dates of several of these gaming and gambling houses, would the hon.
Minister be agreeable to table in the House the expiry dates of these licences - because the
licences are not forever - and whether the relocation can be made as and when these licences
expire, as the hon. Minister has said on a case to case basis? Would the hon. Minister be
agreeable to table the expiry dates of all the lists of these gaming houses?
Mr Jugnauth: Yes, Mr Speaker, Sir, I have no problem with tabling the required
information to the House.
44
Mr Bhagwan: Can the hon. Minister inform the House whether one of the areas
identified by that committee for Quatre Bornes is the Ebène area? Ebène area is not only the
Cybercity; it is also a most residential zone on the extremity of Ebène.
(Interruptions)
Let the hon. Minister reply! You are no longer a Minister!
Mr Speaker: I know that you know.
Mr Jugnauth: I do not want to pre-empt what the hon. Member is saying but, of course,
again, I will refer the House to the recommendations that will have to be looked at by the High
Powered Committee. Whatever site identified will have to be looked at very carefully by the
Committee.
Mr Fakeemeeah: Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir, sometimes I am ignored because the way
you sit…
(Interruptions)
Does the hon. Minister share with me my concern about students taking part in gambling
activities? If yes, what action does he intend to take for that purpose? Are we going to ban, at
least, gambling activities, during school hours?
Mr Jugnauth: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is precisely because the Government is concerned that
there was the setting up of this High Powered Committee together with the Technical
Committee. As I said, it is a matter that we have to look at within the framework of the law and,
therefore, we will have to act. We are all concerned about the ill effects of gambling on our
youngsters.
At 12.58 p.m. the sitting was suspended.
On resuming at 2.33 p.m. with the Deputy Speaker in the Chair.
The Deputy Speaker:
The Table has been advised that PQ No.1B/228 has been
withdrawn.
EBENE CYBERCITY - LAND LEASE – BENEFICIARIES
(No. 1B/243) Mr R. Bhagwan (First Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked
the Minister of Information and Communication Technology whether, in regard to land at Ebène
Cybercity, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Business Park of Mauritius
Limited (BPML), information as to -
45
(a)
the names and addresses of the beneficiaries thereof, indicating in each case (i)
the extent of land leased;
(ii)
rent payable, and
(iii) the amount of deposit made and the date;
(b)
the description of the project, indicating, when the approval of the Board was
obtained, and
(c)
the list of cases where construction has not yet started.
Mr Pillay Chedumbrum: The question has various components which call for detailed
information on land leased at the Ebène Cybercity. It requires the compilation of details about
the names and addresses of beneficiaries, the extent of land leased, the rent payable, the amount
of deposit made and the date such deposit was made, the description of the project and the date
on which the Board approved of the lease and the proposed development as well as the listing
down of all the cases where construction works have not yet started.
I have caused the relevant information to be updated and compiled, and in one week’s
time, it will be placed in the Library of the National Assembly.
Mr Bhagwan: Since the Minister has assumed office, has he been informed of the
number of plots on which construction works have not yet started?
Mr Pillay Chedumbrum: Mr Speaker, Sir, taking into consideration the numerous
components the question contains and also the number of beneficiaries involved in that project, I
cannot off-hand give detailed and precise information about the individual cases. But, in the
circumstances, if my friend had been more precise in respect of a particular case, I could have
given him all the details he wanted at one go, but my friend will bear with me that on the next
occasion he will get it.
Mr Bhagwan: I am sure. I know that the Minister has just assumed office, but I will
advise him to have a trip there not only as Minister responsible, but both in his capacity as
Minister and also as a citizen of Mauritius and see what is happening.
(Interruptions)
You were in India; you were not in Mauritius all these years, so shut up!
(Interruptions)
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in this Cybercity area, in this triangle, especially at the
Cybercity, there are lots of problems. Is the Minister aware or can he go into the files and
46
inquire as to whether there have been fictitious names used for the leasing of land and whether
he is aware that the Chief Executive is actually under the scrutiny of ICAC?
Mr Pillay Chedumbrum: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am going to look into it and, in due
course, I will inform the House accordingly because I don’t want to mislead the House. It is only
now that the hon. Member is saying what he has just said. I am going to do it in due course.
The Deputy Speaker: Hon. Bhagwan, I think that the Minister has explained his
predicament and I allowed you a few supplementary questions to highlight to the Minister certain
information that you have. I will allow you one more supplementary, but he stated that he will
have to compile the information.
Mr Bhagwan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Cybercity is a very delicate subject. I have
two questions about the national interest. Is the Minister aware that a permit has been given for
the construction of a filling station within the Cybercity area? Does the Minister find this
normal? And in the compilation of the relevant information which he has agreed to lay on the
Table of the Assembly in one week, can he let us know about the situation concerning the
construction of a station de service d’essence à l’intérieur de la Cybercité and who is the
promoter? Is it a blue-eyed boy or somebody else?
Mr Pillay Chedumbrum: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will look into it and I will apprise
the House of the situation on the next occasion.
Mr Bhagwan: The nation, not me!
Mr Pillay Chedumbrum: Of course, my friend!
Mr Bhagwan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware of the problem within the
Cybercity as far as traffic congestion is concerned. This is linked with the portion of plots.
The Deputy Speaker: No, here we are concerned about the beneficiaries, their names
and addresses, deposits made and whether construction has just started. The hon. Member should
come with a specific question.
Mr Bhagwan: Sir, there were plots reserved for the construction of parking space and
none has been constructed. So, I am asking the Minister to see to it and inform the House as to
where matters are concerning the construction of the parking space?
The Deputy Speaker: Unfortunately, we don’t have the information which perhaps the
hon. Member has.
Mr Bhagwan: He has agreed today that he will give the information in one week. That
is why I have made another request.
47
The Deputy Speaker: If it is another request, then there is no problem. Next question!
FERNEY & QUATRE SOEURS – FLOODING
(No. 1B/244) Mr M. Seeruttun (Second Member for Vieux Grand Port & Rose
Belle) asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport
and Shipping whether he is aware of the difficulties encountered by the road users in the region
of Ferney and Quatre Soeurs due to flooding and, if so, will he state the actions that will be taken
to address the issue, indicating the time frame.
Mr Bachoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, work on site at Ferney has already started and it
will be completed in December 2010.
The design for the bridge at Quatre Soeurs is being finalised and works are expected to
start by August 2010 and completed in December 2010. The cost of the project is above Rs50 m.
NATIONAL PARKS & CONSERVATION FUND
Belle) asked the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security whether, in regard to the National
Parks and Conservation Fund, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Fund,
information as to –
(a)
the amount of money held in that Fund as at to date;
(b)
its objectives, and
(c)
the amount of money spent for each of the last four years, indicating in each case,
the projects.
Mr Faugoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that, as at 30 June 2010, an amount
of Rs103,173,957.70 is available in the National Parks and Conservation Fund.
As regards part (b), the National Parks and Conservation Fund has been established under
section 25 of the Wildlife and National Parks Act of 1993, and the funds therein can be used only
for the payment of any expenses which may be incurred by the Director of the National Parks
and Conservation Service in performing his functions under the Act.
48
As regards part (c), I am tabling the financial statements regarding the amount of money
spent by the National Parks and Conservation Fund in respect of the projects undertaken during
the last four years.
BATTLE OF VIEUX GRAND PORT - BICENTENARY COMMEMORATION
Belle) asked the Minister of Arts and Culture whether, in regard to the celebrations marking the
Bicentenary of the Battle of Vieux Grand Port, he will state whether –
(a)
the inhabitants of Vieux Grand Port will be involved therein and, if so, how, and
(b)
the activities will benefit the region, indicating how.
Mr Choonee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Commemoration of the Bicentenary of the
Battle of Grand Port will be held from 30 July to 29 August at Pointe Canon, Mahebourg,
opposite the bay where the battle took place. The inhabitants of Mahebourg and the surrounding
localities are fully involved in the infrastructural works, which are being carried out at the venue
since the last three months. In fact, more than 90% of the infrastructural and artistic works are
being executed by the people in the surrounding area.
Manpower from the same region,
including Vieux Grand Port, will be recruited to service the event in different capacities such as
guides, hostesses, cashiers and manual workers. The recruitment exercise is presently being
finalised by the Grand Port 2010 Co. Ltd, company set up by Government to organise the event.
Performing artists of Mahebourg, Vieux Grand Port and the surrounding region will occupy a
prominent position in the daily programmes to be held.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, this important historic
event will definitely put this part of the country in the limelight for one month, and will attract a
great number of tourists besides Mauritians. A massive publicity campaign has already started
since April on all Air Mauritius and Air France flights, to sensitise incoming tourists on the
commemoration and its venue. Tourists visiting the site will also visit the historical sites of
Vieux Grand Port. The Frederik Hendrik Museum at Vieux Grand Port will benefit from a huge
fibre glass dodo bird as a special attraction after the event.
49
Tour operators who have been approached have agreed to arrange for organised trips,
which will include the Vieux Grand Port region. It is expected that sales through the movement
of people attending the event and visiting Vieux Grand Port will increase substantially.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also highlight the fact that, after the event, a number of
tangible outcomes in terms of permanent cultural infrastructure will remain in Mahebourg for the
benefit of Mauritians altogether and people of the region in particular. These will comprise (i)
a museum on the peopling of Mauritius, depicting the different stages of our
history, through huge panels, figurines and film projections;
(ii)
a permanent Table d’Orientation at Pointe des Régates, showing major features of
the battle in the bay of Grand Port;
(iii)
the existing basic open amphitheatre at Pointe Canon will be provided with a
covered roof and latest sound and light system.
It will thus become more
functional and operational, and will allow the organisation of cultural and social
activities, and
(iv)
3 arpents of bush land at Pointe Canon, which was a real danger public, as it was
a potential den for drug addicts, has been converted into a public garden, where
the inhabitants of the region will be able to relax during their leisure time.
These cultural infrastructures are mainly tourist focused, and will increase the tourist
attraction in the region of Mahebourg and Vieux Grand Port.
SOLAR WATER HEATER FINANCING SCHEME
Belle) asked the vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development whether,
in regard to the Solar Water Heater Financing Scheme, he will, for the benefit of the House,
obtain from the Development Bank of Mauritius, information as to (a)
(b)
whether the scheme is still operational and, if so, indicate –
(i)
the eligibility criteria, and
(ii)
the amount of the grant per beneficiary, and
the duration of the scheme.
50
The vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development (Mr P.
Jugnauth): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have been informed by the Development Bank of
Mauritius (DBM), that the first financing scheme regarding solar water heater, following the
2008-2009 Budget Speech, which should have been closed on 31 December 2009 was, in fact,
extended till 31 March 2010, to enable all registered suppliers to complete all installations prior
to disbursements.
However, the second financing scheme, as announced in the Budget Speech 2010, is not
yet operational.
The eligibility criteria for both schemes are the same, that is, open to all households and
to non-profit making residential charitable institutions, such as orphanages, shelters, etc.
With regard to part (a) of the question, as regards the amount of the grant per beneficiary,
I am informed that the grant for the first scheme was Rs10,000 per solar water heater, to
encourage people to switch from electricity and gas to renewable source of energy. For the
second scheme, the grant per solar water heater has been brought to Rs5,000, to cater for a
greater number of households.
As for part (b), Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as far as the duration of the scheme is concerned,
I am informed that the first one was for a period of 21 months, that is, from July 2008 to March
2010. But, for the second scheme, it is not time bound but limited to 50,000 beneficiaries, as
Rs250 m. have been earmarked for that purpose.
MUNICIPAL COUNCILLORS - RESIGNATION
(No. 1B/248) Mr D. Nagalingum (Second Member for Stanley & Rose Hill) asked the
Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands whether, in regard to Municipal Councillors, he
will state the number thereof who have resigned or lost their seats since October 2005 to date.
(Withdrawn)
HOSPITALS - CEREBRAL ANGIOGRAPHY
(No. 1B/249) Dr. S. Boolell (Second Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the
Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether she will state if cerebral angiography as a major
investigative procedure for person suffering from cerebral haemorrhage, is performed in our
hospitals.
51
Mrs Hanoomanjee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that cerebral angiography
can be categorised into –
•
CT (Computerised Tomograph) Angiography;
•
MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography),
•
DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography).
Computerised Tomograph and Magnetic Resonance Angiography are performed in our
hospitals as screening tests in case of traumatic or hypertensive cerebral haemorrhage.
As regards Digital Subtraction Angiography, it is not presently available in our hospitals
in view of the high cost of the equipment and lack of trained personnel in this field. Such cases
are referred abroad for investigation and treatment.
However, with the coming into operation of a new Neurosurgery Unit at Victoria
Hospital by the end of 2011, it is planned to provide cerebral angiography services to patients.
Dr. S. Boolell: Has the hon. Minister been made aware that all that is needed is a
software and the human resources to be able to conduct the cerebral angiography? Many cases
that actually get referred to India for treatment are returned to Mauritius, because when the
cerebral angiography is performed in India, it is found they should never have been sent there in
the first place.
Mrs Hanoomanjee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is not the information that I have. I
have been told that cerebral angiography is something very complex. We have a Memorandum
of Understanding signed with Vimhans, New Delhi and Apollo Hospital, Chennai, and this is
where we send all our patients. Up to now, we have not had any patients who have come back
and said that they have been ill-treated or not been treated well.
Dr. S. Boolell: Can I have the number of patients who actually have had cerebral
angiography performed over the past two years?
Mrs Hanoomanjee: From the year 2005 to date, some 297 neurosurgery cases, including
cerebral haemorrhage, have been referred for treatment overseas and, as I said, mostly to India.
But we have not separated cases of cerebral angiography from neurosurgery cases.
52
Dr. S. Boolell: For the sake of the patients, I would be most grateful if the hon. Minister
could table, eventually, the list of patients who have had cerebral angiography in Mauritius over
the past - as she says - five years.
Mrs Hanoomanjee: Not in Mauritius, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. As I said, we have not
had these cases of cerebral angiography done in Mauritius. The cases have been referred to
India.
HYPERTENSION & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS - PHARMACEUTICAL
PRODUCTS
(No. 1B/250) Dr. S. Boolell (Second Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the
Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether, in regard to pharmaceutical products, especially
for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and neurological disorders, she will state if
regular inventories are carried out to ascertain the availability and to avoid any possible shortage
thereof.
Mrs Hanoomanjee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that in line with established
stores procedures, an appropriate Stock Monitoring System is already in place at the Central
Supplies Division of my Ministry to constantly monitor the stock level of all drugs to ensure,
amongst others, continuous availability in our hospitals and health centres.
In this regard, regular stock taking is carried out by officers of the Stock Control Unit of
my Ministry.
Inventory reports on drugs reaching critical stock level, i.e. less than three months, are
regularly submitted to the Pharmaceutical Monitoring Committee set up at the level of my
Ministry. The Committee scrutinizes the reports and recommends appropriate actions to be
taken for the replenishment of stocks, or for expediting supply of outstanding orders.
However, it happens at times that there are shortages of a few drugs for limited periods,
mainly due to the fact that (i)
suppliers default because of increasing production costs, unavailability of raw
materials or changes in the sources of supply;
(ii)
suppliers are late with their deliveries;
(iii)
retendering has to be resorted to where no quotes or no responsive bids are
received, and
53
(iv)
there are unforeseen increases in the consumption of some drugs, thus resulting in
depletion of stock.
Dr. S. Boolell: My question also extends to pharmaceutical products in the private sector
where, very often, many products are missing, causing patients great distress for a change over to
a new tablet and increasing the expenses at the level of private medicine for the changing of the
therapy.
(Interruptions)
I heard a remark about this being very rare. I refuse to agree to that.
(Interruptions)
The Deputy Speaker: Let the hon. Minister answer!
Mrs Hanoomanjee: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have information actually on what is
being done at the level of Government. If the hon. Member will provide me with information on
specific items which, from time to time, are missing on the local market, I will try to find out.
LAND DUTIES AND TAXES ACT - AMENDMENTS
(No. 1B/251) Mr K. Ramano (Second Member for Belle Rose & Quatre Bornes)
asked the vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development whether, in
regard to the Land Duties and Taxes Act, he will state if Government proposes to bring
amendments thereto with a view to –
(a)
re-introducing the exemption for first time buyers of bare land and built up land;
(b)
re-introducing the exemption for first time borrowers for completion of
construction or loan for the purchase of built up land or apartment;
(c)
exempting Land Transfer Tax for first time sellers or maintaining a flat rate of 5%
of the value of the transfer, and
(d)
exempting from Land Transfer Tax the sale of properties acquired by inheritance.
Jugnauth): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member would surely appreciate that future
decisions pertaining to tax policy cannot be revealed at Question Time. I would, therefore,
invite the hon. Member to have some patience and to wait for the forthcoming Budget.
54
Mr Ganoo: I do understand and agree with what the hon. vice-Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance has just said. But, doesn’t he agree that there is an injustice in making
people pay land transfer tax when they have inherited a property?
Land transfer tax was
instituted at a time when there was a lot of land speculation some twenty years ago. This tax is
an injustice, especially for the ‘ti-dimounes’ when they have to sell their small properties and be
made to pay 5% to Government, especially if they have inherited that plot of land.
Mr Jugnauth: The hon. Member has said in the first part of his question that he does
understand. Therefore, I would ask him also to be patient and wait for the forthcoming Budget.
Mr Ramano: En marge du Stimulus Package de l’année dernière, mention a été faite du
maintien exceptionnel du taux de 5%, même pour les biens qui ont été acquis avant cinq ans et ce
jusqu’à fin 2010. Est-ce que je peux savoir du ministre s’il compte maintenir ce taux à 5% ?
Mr Jugnauth: I have just answered, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. What prevails now, we
will see. There is a new Government, of course, we are going to review the taxes in general and
decisions will be taken. I think it will be more proper to come in the forthcoming Budget.
LAND TRANSFER TAX – SUGAR CANE CULTIVATION
(No. 1B/252) Mr K. Ramano (Second Member for Belle Rose & Quatre Bornes)
asked the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security whether, in regard to the Sugar Industry
Efficiency Act, he will state if Government proposes to bring amendments thereto to make
provision for exemption of taxes on the transfer of land under sugar cane cultivation.
Mr Faugoo:
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, currently, there are incentives provided for the
transfer of lands under sugar cane cultivation under section 10 of the SIE Act 2001. Under
section 10 subsection (2), the rate of tax provided for such transfers, subject to conditions to be
satisfied under subsection (3), stands at 5%.
As regards the issue of exemption of taxes on transfer of land under sugar cane
cultivation, I would also, like my friend, the vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and
Economic Development, request the hon. Member to have some patience and to wait until
Budget time, maybe.
Mr Ramano: M. le président, le Finance Act de 2006 n’a pas su faire la différence entre
les terrains sous plantation de cannes et les terrains résidentiels. Au vu de la gravité de la
situation pour les planteurs de cannes, n’est-il pas temps de considérer un régime fiscal approprié
55
pour ceux qui souhaitent vendre et éventuellement développer leurs terrains sous plantation de
cannes ?
Mr Faugoo: This is a matter of policy which needs to be discussed and will surely come
back to the House, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.
TRUST FUND FOR THE INTEGRATION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS FIELD WORKERS
(No. 1B/253) Mrs F. Labelle (Third Member for Vacoas & Floreal) asked the vicePrime Minister, Minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment whether, in regard
to field workers of the Trust Fund for the Integration of Vulnerable Groups, he will, for the
benefit of the House, obtain from the Trust, information as to the number thereof attached to the
Citizens Advice Bureau of Vacoas, indicating their names and the date of posting thereat.
The
vice-Prime
Minister,
Minister
of
Social
Integration
and
Economic
Empowerment (Mr X. L. Duval): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that, in
accordance with the organisational framework of the Trust Fund for Social Integration of
Vulnerable Groups (TFSIVG), a field worker is attached to a specific region and works under the
supervision of a social facilitator. The field worker is required to identify and record requests
from vulnerable families seeking assistance under the Trust Fund and determine their eligibility
for such assistance.
In the process of the identification and recording of such requests from vulnerable
groups, the field worker collaborates with community-based organisations and Government
agencies such as Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB).
As far as the presence of a field worker at the CAB of Vacoas is concerned, one field
worker of the Trust Fund, Mrs T. D., was posted thereat since end April 2006 on Tuesdays from
9.00 a.m. to noon until she resigned on 30 April 2010.
Subsequently, effective as from 25 May 2010, two other field workers, Mrs B. P. and Mrs
M. K., posted in the District of Plaine Wilhems, are covering the Vacoas CAB office on
Tuesdays from 9.00 a.m. to noon pending the recruitment of a field worker.
56
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that the organisational structure of
the Trust Fund is being reviewed and will be consolidated to allow it to extend the necessary and
appropriate support to the distressed and vulnerable groups, both in Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Mrs Labelle: May I ask the hon. Minister whether he is aware that there are many
applications which are pending? According to my information, it is because there is no field
officer working right now and the poor people are just waiting for their corrugated iron sheets
and so on. In view of such a situation which is prevailing, may I ask the hon. Minister if he is
considering taking measures to remedy the situation to alleviate the sufferings of these people?
Mr Duval: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think there are four vacancies in the grade of field
worker. The best thing is to recruit and to fill these vacancies as quickly as possible. But, in the
meantime, I’ll make sure that people who are filling in for the person who has left, to do so
regularly.
Mrs Labelle: May I ask the hon. Minister whether he will see to it that we have a time
frame to process an application? According to my information, there are applications which are
pending since one year or even more than one year.
Mr Duval: This is a good idea, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.
Mr Bhagwan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I heard the hon. Minister saying that he is going
to review the structure. Is the hon. Minister taking into consideration what happened recently in
Curepipe where some fictitious organisations were operating in that area? It is nearly islandwide, this racket.
Mr Duval: If the hon. Member has any information, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is his
duty to provide the information either to myself or to the Police. I think it is very important to do
so because it is money destined for the poor. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, certainly part of the
review will be, in fact, to set up a better internal audit procedure.
ABBÉ LAVAL STREET, EAU COULÉE - DRAINS/PAVEMENTS
(No. 1B/254) Mrs F. Labelle (Third Member for Vacoas & Floreal) asked the
whether, in regard to drains/pavements under construction at the Abbé Laval Street, Eau Coulée,
he will state if his Ministry has received a complaint from the inhabitants of the region to the
57
effect that rain water is being made to run from these drains into a cave and, if so, the remedial
measures that are envisaged.
Mr Bachoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have been informed by the Ministry of Local
Government and Outer Islands that the Municipal Council of Curepipe has received a complaint
to the effect that the rainwater was being made to run into an underground cave.
The works undertaken by the Municipal Council of Curepipe consist mostly of the
construction of pavement along Abbé Laval Street over an existing road side drain with a view to
providing security to school children and inhabitants of Abbé Laval.
The Municipal Council has taken measures to divert the drain network away from Abbé
Laval Street.
I am also informed that the area of Eau Coulée is prone to the existence of caves which
help in dissipating surface water and, according to the Municipal Council, no ponding occurs in
the region. But, I have requested RDA to have a fresh look at the situation and to give a helping
hand to the Municipality of Curepipe.
Mrs Labelle: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Minister has just mentioned the case of
schoolchildren. In fact, we have the St. Esprit RCA School in that street. When the rain water
goes into that cave, there are so many overflows that the wastewater manhole is overflowed since
water from Eau Coulée main road is diverted into these drains. So, may I ask the hon. Minister
whether any particular measure could be taken so that such a volume of water is not diverted into
this place?
Mr Bachoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I have just mentioned, the work has been
undertaken by the Municipal Council of Curepipe and I have requested RDA to have a fresh look
and we will try to see what can be done.
Mrs Labelle: May I ask the hon. Minister whether he is aware that the Municipal
Council of Curepipe has been requested, on several occasions, to look into the matter,
particularly where the caves are concerned because of the high risks of erosions as there are
houses near these caves? It seems that nothing has been done yet.
Mr Bachoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I don't think that the Municipality of Curepipe can
do that work. That is the reason why I have requested the RDA to have a look because we have
engineers and they can do that work. I will look into it again.
58
SPORTS FEDERATIONS - SPORTS ACT - COMPLIANCE
(No. 1B/255) Mr F. Quirin (Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked
the Minister of Youth and Sports whether, with regard to sports federations registered with his
Ministry, he will state if they are complying with the Sports Act and, if not, why not, indicating
the actions he proposes to take.
Mr Ritoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in fact, my Ministry does not register sports
federations as such. This is the responsibility of the Registrar of Associations.
However, if the hon. Member is referring to recognition of sports federations, my
Ministry, in compliance with section 8 of the Sports Act, recognises sports federations which
respect the conditions laid down in the Sports Act.
I have been informed by the Registrar of Associations that some federations registered
with his office are not complying with the Sports Act, in so much as (i)
they have not amended their rules as required by the Sports Act, and
(ii)
they have not filed annual returns for the last accounting period.
I wish to reassure the hon. Member that such issues are being attended to in the proposed
amendments of the Sports Act which will be presented to this august Assembly very soon.
In parallel, I have set up a committee at the level of my Ministry to collect data on the
status of the various sports federations with a view to taking appropriate actions against those not
compliant with the Sports Act.
Mr Quirin: M. le président, j’aimerais demander au ministre quelles ont été les actions
qui ont été entreprises pour inciter ces fédérations, qui ne sont pas en conformité avec le Sports
Act, de se mettre en conformité.
Mr Ritoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I just informed. In my answer, I said that I have set
up a committee at the level of my Ministry to collect data on the status of the various federations
with a view to take appropriate actions against those not complying with the Sports Act.
Mr Quirin: M. le président, il y a quand même cinq longues années qui se sont écoulées
depuis que certaines fédérations ont eu une dérogation conditionnelle. Je pense qu’on aurait dû,
au niveau du ministère des sports, inciter ces fédérations à se mettre en conformité.
59
Mr Ritoo: This situation has not been prevailing since the last five years, but it is like
this since the last Sports Act in 2001. We have already prepared all the amendments and they
will be presented in the Assembly very shortly.
Mr Bhagwan: Je peux savoir du ministre quelles sont ces fédérations qui opèrent dans
l’illégalité ?
Mr Ritoo: Well, out of the 32 registered sports federations, we have 23 like the
swimming federation and the table tennis federation which do not comply with the Sports Act.
DIRECTEUR TECHNIQUE NATIONAL DE NATATION - CONTRACT
(No. 1B/256) Mr F. Quirin (Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked
the Minister of Youth and Sports whether, in regard to the Directeur Technique National de
Natation, he will (a)
give the terms and conditions of his contract, indicating whether he is complying
with same, and
(b)
table a copy of the contract agreement.
Mr Ritoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the terms and conditions of employment of
the Directeur Technique National (Swimming) are detailed in the contract itself. I am tabling a
copy thereof.
I also wish to inform the hon. Member that as at to date the Directeur Technique
National is complying with those terms and conditions satisfactorily.
Mr Quirin: Est-ce que le ministre peut dire le nombre de cours de formation que le
DTN a organisé depuis son arrivée à Maurice et à qui ces cours ont été adressés?
Mr Ritoo: All DTN are recruited in consultation with the sports federations. I mean, the
specific sports federations. In this case, it is the swimming federation, and he is put at the
disposal of the federation which organises all the sports activities; he is supposed to submit a
report every month to the Ministry of Youth and Sports with which he has signed a contract.
Mr Quirin: Quand on parle du DTN, M. le président, peut-on savoir du ministre la
politique de son ministère par rapport au recrutement des directeurs techniques?
60
Mr Ritoo: In fact, we recruit the DTN as and when required. It depends upon the sports
federations which require a DTN and it also depends upon the forthcoming major sports events.
It is always done in consultation with the federations.
Mr Quirin: En ce qu’il s’agit justement du DTN de la natation, M. le président, pourriezvous nous dire si on a déjà établi une présélection pour les jeux des îles?
Mr Ritoo: Well, we are reaching the Indian Ocean Islands Games in one year. So, there
should be a pre-selection, of course.
DUTY-FREE ISLAND PROJECT - IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY
(No. 1B/257) Mr K. Li Kwong Wing (Second Member for Beau Bassin & Petite
Rivière) asked the vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development
whether, in regard to the Duty-Free Island Project, he will state whether any impact assessment
study has been carried out thereinto and, if so, state (a)
the estimated annual revenue losses in customs, excise and other duties as a result
thereof;
(b)
estimates of other costs to Government;
(c)
the impact on the local manufacturing industry, and
(d)
if a time frame for its implementation has been set.
Jugnauth): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the 2005-06 Budget, I announced a historic decision to
make of Mauritius a duty-free island. My vision was to •
open up sustainable new economic space for development;
•
create a new and unprecedented dynamism in our economy for investment,
business, trade and entrepreneurial activities;
•
transform Mauritius into a shopping paradise for tourists and a shopping hub for
the region;
•
modernise the physical fabrics of our country to position Mauritius among the
leaders in sophisticated infrastructure conducive to shopping tourism and
sustainable development, and
61
•
enable Mauritian families also to benefit from a wider choice of high quality
goods at lower prices.
I also mentioned that the Duty-Free Island Project would be implemented in phases over
a period of four years.
A Mauritius Duty-Free Project Blue Print was thus prepared to provide a basis for
initiating debates and discussions for transforming Mauritius into a duty- free island by adopting
an integrated approach. This would also have involved the implementation of the ‘métro léger’
project.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the duty-free island initiative was never in my mind only a mere
reduction or elimination of customs tariffs as often asserted in some circles; it was an integrated
socio-economic development concept that was meant to develop into an economic pillar in its
own.
I can but reaffirm, in this House today, my determination and conviction that Mauritius
must become a duty-free island and a shopping paradise with top class physical infrastructure.
It is important that these visions are implemented concurrently. And I am also happy that I have
the full support of the hon. Prime Minister on this national agenda of paramount importance for
our country.
Transforming Mauritius into a duty-free island will involve costs to the treasury in terms
of duty foregone. There is also the fact that the abolition of duty will remove protection for our
domestic oriented enterprises.
But by developing Mauritius into a shopping paradise, we will be creating new economic
space for investments, business and trade that will make up for Government revenue foregone.
We have gone a long way in cutting down customs tariffs. We need to move further in that
respect. However, we would ensure that we maintain a ‘Residual Duty’ on a very limited number
of products for protecting key strategic products manufactured by our domestic industries.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the current financial year 2010, an amount of Rs1.6 billion
has been estimated in respect of customs duty. This represents some 3 per cent of the total tax
revenue.
As regards parts (b), (c) and (d) of the question relating to cost to Government, the impact
on the local manufacturing industry and the time frame for implementation of the Duty Free
62
Island Project, we are, in fact, actually updating the Blue Print that we have prepared some five
years ago. I am sure that this will take on board all the concerns of the hon. Member. This
exercise will be carried out, of course, in consultation with all the stakeholders.
Mr Li Kwong Wing: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this project, which has been initiated by
the Minister during his term of office as Minister of Finance, has clearly been put under lock and
key by the previous Government and now that - so to speak - he has taken hold of the key to the
project, would he consider it urgent to set up a high-powered committee or a ministerial
committee to oversee the implementation of the project so that the image of the country and the
image of the project do not suffer from any more credibility problem?
Mr Jugnauth: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I have just said, I don’t believe that we should
have a high-powered committee. What we need right now is to update that Blue Print that was
prepared some five years ago, have discussions with all the stakeholders, and get the views of as
many people who are concerned and who are willing to come forward with proposals including,
of course, any hon. Member of the Opposition and then we will have to move forward.
Personally, I don’t believe that we should have a high-powered committee on that.
Mr Li Kwong Wing: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the reason why I am putting up the
suggestion of having a high-powered committee is the fact that there are various conditions for
the success of this important project which, as he said, is a national, integrated development
project, because the project will have impact on the air access policy, on the project of métro
léger which has also been frozen for five years and it has also a lot of implications on the visa
facilities for neighbouring countries and African countries, the target market. Would the hon.
Minister not consider it essential for an important committee of officials not only to revise or
revisit the Blue Print, but also to seek the views of experts on the matter, to get qualified and
expert opinion and facts and figures for a proper business and marketing plan to successfully
implement the project?
Mr Jugnauth: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, of course, I do agree with the number of issues
the hon. Member has raised. They would be of concern and they would impact on this project.
Probably if I can just rephrase what I have just said, I don’t know if there are clearer terms, it is
the Government’s vision to move forward with the project of making Mauritius a duty-free
island, and, of course, discussions will take place with my colleague Ministers. We will come
forward as and when the project is ripe and we will not be able to implement it at one go. As I
63
said last time, when we thought over it, it would have taken some four years. Now, I am sure the
hon. Member will appreciate that circumstances prevailing at that time and circumstances
prevailing today are quite different. There are a number of common factors, but there are new
circumstances that have arisen, but I take the view that, as I have said, any expert advice that we
can get, any views that we can get from any quarters, will be looked at and, if positive, will be
taken on board.
Mr Li Kwong Wing: I have another question, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. I am sure now
that the Minister has taken the driving seat to drive the project forward which has been frozen,
put in the frigo, can we ask the Minister what would be the approach of the Government with
regard to the construction of mega malls and all the big departmental stores with branded
products which will be on offer? These will imply the investment of big foreign groups which
will be interested to invest in the project. Therefore, would there be a policy of Government to
allow the acquisition of land by these foreign groups for the construction of mega malls and the
big projects.
Mr Jugnauth: Well, at that time, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we brainstormed quite a lot on
the issue of shopping malls. I would not like, at this stage, to disclose what the thinking was at
that time, more so, I have said that this Blue Print needs to be reviewed. Let me repeat again that
what circumstances prevailed at that time are different today. We have to look at it in the light of
the new circumstances and come forward, if need be, with any incentives that can be given to
foreign and local promoters for the shopping malls as far as these are concerned.
NATIONAL SAVINGS RATE
(No. 1B/258) Mr K. Li Kwong Wing (Second Member for Beau Bassin & Petite
Rivière) asked the vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development
whether, in regard to the National Savings Rate, he will state –
(a)
its evolution over the years 2005 to 2010;
(b)
the measures being taken to encourage national savings, and
(c)
whether tax reliefs will be re-instated on pension contributions.
Jugnauth): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, since 2005, the annual savings rate, that is the Gross
National Savings as a percentage of GDP at market price, has been as follows -
64
17.4%
in
2005
17.1%
in
2006
21.2%
in
2007
16.7%
in
2008
13.6%
in
2009
According to the latest estimate of the Central Statistics Office, the savings rate is
projected to increase slightly to around 14.2 % in 2010.
As regards part (b) of the question, the abolition of the National Residential Property Tax
and of tax on interest income should increase the disposable income of the population and
encourage greater household savings. Moreover, we expect that the vision we have announced
in the Government Programme to stimulate investment and return the economy to its trend
growth path should increase income in the economy and reverse the declining trend in the
national saving rate. These policies range from enhancing global competitiveness, stimulating
private investment both local and foreign, further diversifying the economic base and
accelerating investment in public infrastructure. The Macroeconomic Coordinating Committee
that comprises officials of my Ministry, the Bank of Mauritius and the Central Statistical Office
is carrying out a study on the causes of the decline in the national savings rate and its evolution.
The findings of that Committee will enable us to take further actions, if necessary.
As regards part (c) of the question, as I indicated in some of my previous replies in the
House, any new tax policy will be announced in the next budget.
Mr Li Kwong Wing: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, so, it is clear from the figures that have
been explained by the Minister that the savings rate collapsed to a thirty-year low under the
previous Government. Now that the new Minister of Finance is in command, I would just like to
add a clarification on national savings rate. National savings consist of corporate savings and
personal savings. Now, if the savings rate has fallen nationally, but, as you know, corporate
savings have increased because corporate savings are obtained from profits which are not
distributed. As we all know, corporate profits have increased tremendously during the last two
years, so, it means that personal savings have decreased dramatically. Would the hon. Minister
not think that the policies of the previous Government have been very detrimental to savings and,
therefore, need to be reversed so that we are now able to get the incentive that was given
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previously to encourage people to invest in life insurance products and personal pension
schemes?
Mr Jugnauth: Savings is not only from households and corporates; it can be from
Government also, because when you have a deficit, if the Recurrent Budget is deficitary, then
they are low, but if there is a surplus, of course, then we have a saving. But I have global
figures. I don’t have figures with respect to corporates and households. We have to look at this I think it is an important point - to monitor whether with regard to the national savings rates,
whether household savings have been on the decline. But it is clear, it is a fact, the figures speak
for themselves that the rate of savings has been on the decline and I totally agree that we have to
take a number of measures in order to motivate people for more savings.
Ms Deerpalsing: Even some of us here, on this side of the House, agree that the new
Minister of Finance will do a much better job on the savings rate issue than the previous Minister
of Finance.
(Interruptions)
The Deputy Speaker: Please, keep silent!
Ms Deerpalsing: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, may I ask the hon. vice-Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance whether with regard to the savings rate, his Ministry intends to conduct a
full-fledged study or survey on indebtedness? Is the hon. Minister aware that households in
Mauritius - personal savings, as the hon. Member was talking about – are totally indebted
jusqu’au cou? Will the Minister agree to a full-fledged study on the issue?
Mr Jugnauth: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, what I can do is definitely ask the
Macroeconomic Committee to set up a technical committee to look at the indebtedness of
Mauritians, the households generally.
Mr Li Kwong Wing: One additional question, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. I have not heard
the hon. Minister confirming whether he is going to reverse the policies concerning the
withdrawal of tax relief on life insurance contribution. But, anyway, the incentives are required
to boost personal savings, but more than anything else, the financial planning of households
needs to be beefed up and what the previous policies have done is to disrupt the financial
planning because when you plan to invest in life insurance, in pension, in taking loan for
housing, you get all these tax reliefs, this part is financial planning. In addition to carrying out
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that study on savings behaviour, would the hon. Minister consider studying ways of enhancing
financial literacy and awareness of financial planning among households, especially as the hon.
Member for Quatre Bornes said there is a huge level of indebtedness of households?
Mr Jugnauth: The hon. Member must be more attentive. I have replied to part (c) of the
question. I have said with regard to tax reliefs on pension, contributions on life insurance and so
on, it is a question of fiscal policy. This will be looked at by Government and we will come up
with new decisions in the forthcoming budget, if need be. I am sure the hon. Member will
appreciate, we won’t be able to take piecemeal decisions on each issue of taxes.
The Deputy Speaker: We move to the next question.
CONFÉDÉRATION DES TRAVAILLEURS DU SECTEUR PRIVÉ – COMPLAINT
- ILO
Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment whether he is aware of the complaint
made by the Confédération des Travailleurs du Secteur Privé (CTSP) to the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) in relation to the provision of the Employment Rights Act which makes of
Sunday a normal working day and state whether Government has received any recommendations
from the International Labour Organisation in relation thereto and, if so, the measures
Government proposes to take.
Mr Mohamed: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in answer to the question, yes, I am aware of the
complaint made.
In fact, in a communication through our Mission in Geneva, the Director of the
International Labour Standard Department of the International Labour Office transmitted copy of
a letter dated 10 June 2009 whereby the Confédération des Travailleurs du Secteur Privé (CTSP)
commented on the application by Mauritius of the Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921
(No. 14) and the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).
In its comments, the CTSP avers inter alia that under the Employment Rights Act of
2008, it is now an obligation for workers of the private sector to perform overtime by working on
two Sundays in a month.
As requested by the ILO, Government submitted to the ILO, its comments on the points
raised by the CTSP.
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As regards the second part of the question, Government has received the Report on the
Application of International Labour Standards for year 2010 wherein the Committee of Experts
on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations has expressed the wish that
Government re-examines on the next suitable occasion, the relevant provisions of the
Employment Rights Act with a view to bringing them into line with the letter and the spirit of the
Convention, in full consultation with the representatives of employers’ and workers’
organisations concerned.
Government is expressing its reserve, however, on the observations of the Committee of
Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations inasmuch as –
(i)
There is no provision in the Employment Rights Act compelling a worker to work
on two Sundays in a period of one month. What the law does provide for, is that
every worker should be entitled to a rest day of at least 24 consecutive hours in
every period of seven consecutive days, and the rest day shall, at least, twice a
month be a Sunday, or any other day as may be agreed between the employee and
the employer.
(ii)
It is not correct for the ILO to state in its Report that the Employment Rights Act
has introduced a permanent exemption of general application so that in reality the
basic standard of Sunday weekly rest is for all practical purposes removed from
all national legislation. The Employment Rights Act covers around 20% of the
workers in the private sector, the remaining 80% - and that is of great importance
to note - being covered by the provisions of the 30 Remuneration Order
Regulations in force which have specific provisions regarding Sunday work based
on the inherent requirements of the respective sector.
(iii)
In its observations, the Committee has itself recalled that the Convention is
articulated around, inter alia, the basic principle of uniformity, that is, the weekly
rest to be granted, whenever possible, simultaneously to all the persons concerned
and to coincide, whenever possible, once again, with the traditional day of rest.
An interpretation of the provision of the Convention is that it is not mandatory
that the weekly rest day be granted on Sunday which is the traditional day of rest.
The Government is already in the process of submitting further explanations to the ILO
on the matter.
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In conclusion to the answer that I have given to the hon. Member, Mr Deputy Speaker,
Sir, let me summarise by trying to explain the following. In actual fact, when one reads the
observations made by the ILO in relation to this particular issued raised by the Confédération,
the findings of the ILO have, unfortunately, not tackled the 30 Remuneration Order regulations
that are in force. They have based themselves through the provisions only of the Employment
Rights Act which, as I have stated, covers around 20% of the workers in the private sector, but
they have not taken into account the remaining 80%, therefore and thereby the Remuneration
Order regulations and for that particular reason, we are already in the process of preparing
further explanations and submissions which we will be forwarding to the ILO, because we
believe that it is of utmost importance that when one comes to a finding, one does not limit
oneself to the Employment Rights Act, but one also mandatorily should look at what the
Remuneration Order regulations provide for.
Mr Ganoo: I have listened very carefully to the lengthy answer of the hon. Minister, Mr
Deputy Speaker, Sir. Even if we accept what the hon. Minister is saying, i.e. that Government
has the political will to, in fact, make of Sunday a rest day for the working class of this country,
especially in the private sector, does not the hon. Minister think that Government must review
the different Remuneration Orders and revisit also - as ILO has asked Government - on the next
suitable occasion and ensure that the ERA be in line with the spirit of the Convention? It
depends on Government, whether it has the will or not.
Mr Mohamed: I have also listened to the interesting remarks of the hon. Member with
much interest. Let me make it clear! The fact is that the law in Mauritius states that Sunday is
indeed a rest day. That is a fact. Sunday is a public holiday. That is the law. When one looks at
all the Remuneration Orders I have earlier referred to, they state it clearly. I will give an
example, and here one has to be sector specific. For instance, we have the block-making
constructions, stone crushing and related industries’ Remuneration Order. In this particular
Remuneration Order, there is restriction for performance of work on public holiday. Another
example is the Attorneys and Notaries Employees Remuneration Order.
In that particular
Remuneration Order, once again, there is restriction for performance of work on public holiday.
The Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Workshops Remuneration Order; once again, in this
particular Remuneration Order, there is a restriction. If I am to go on, there are many other
Remuneration Order Regulations where there exist restrictions for working on a Sunday. For
that particular reason, Government is sending new observations to the ILO for them to take into
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account all our Remuneration Orders, and to come to a complete finding. Once they look into
the Remuneration Orders, side by side with the Employment Rights Act, they will come to a
reasoned global finding. Once they come up with that finding, we will look into it and tackle it,
depending what the finding says. If the finding ever says that, once again, we have to review the
legislation, I can reassure the hon. Member and all Members of the House, Mr Deputy Speaker,
Sir, that we will, in no way, go against the findings of the ILO. But, to recapitulate, I believe it is
important that they come up with a proper finding, taking into account 80% of what is relevant in
the Remuneration Orders.
Mr Ganoo: I understand that the hon. Minister is challenging what the ILO has
recommended. In fact, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this issue has been raised - hon. Dr. Bunwaree
will remember - when the debates were on in August 2008, by hon. Members including hon.
Soodhun, who was the mouthpiece of the MSM on labour issue. I had also raised this issue in a
parliamentary question, which I put to Mr Chaumière, who was the Minister of labour at that
time, on this question of le travail de dimanche. But, in view of the fact that the Public Holidays
Act states very clearly that Sunday is a public holiday, and in view of the fact that, in the new
Act, the law says that ‘where a worker is required to work on a public holiday other than a
Sunday’, it is then that he shall be paid additional remuneration’; therefore, doesn’t our law
finally make of Sunday an ordinary working day? This is what the Confédération des
Travailleurs du Secteur Privé is arguing, namely that we should amend our law to make of
Sunday a rest day for these workers, and that it is not for the employers to decide, according to
their choice, any day as a rest day for the worker.
Mr Mohamed: I am thankful to the hon. Member to come up, once again, with this
question. As he said, he has put that question before to the previous Minister. That gives me the
opportunity of clarifying the situation. To clarify the situation, let me just say, in addition to
what I have said, that there are certain industries, for instance, the catering and tourism industry,
where it is sector specific. You cannot, in those industries, come up and use the same principles,
the same thought and philosophy, as opposed to other industries that have not got specificities as
that of the catering and tourism industry or the Cinema Employees Remuneration Order. If that
were the case, then we would have all employees of the catering and tourism industry or the
cinema industry, the bakery industry, closing shop on Sunday. We have come up with an
Employment Rights Act that is, in my humble opinion, very flexible. The only difference that
separates us at the moment, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is a matter of interpretation. In order to
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make sure that this difference ne perdure pas, that is precisely the reason why we are asking the
ILO, as I have said earlier, to take into account the Remuneration Order. And if, once they have
taken that into account, they come up with the finding that, once again, it is not in line with the
Convention, we will look into the appropriate decisions to be taken. I am of the view that if they
take into account the Remuneration Order, their findings would not be the same.
Mr Bérenger: I am glad that the hon. Minister chose different words right now, because
before he said ‘if the ILO comes with a proper recommendation’, implying that they made
improper recommendations. He has corrected himself. Fair enough! Since it is clear that the
ILO said that time is of the essence, it is urgent, and they suggested that il faut corriger le tir at
the earliest opportunity, therefore, can we know when was their report received and when it is
expected that Government will make further representations?
Mr Mohamed: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in answer to the hon. Leader of the Opposition,
the report was communicated to us approximately seven days after it was issued. I don’t have
the exact date with me, but I am informed that it was sent to us approximately seven days after it
was received, which was only approximately a month and a half ago. We are ready with our new
observations, which we will send to the ILO. I have been in touch with the relevant Department
of Standards of the ILO, and I am informed that they will respond to us very rapidly. I totally
agree with the hon. Leader of the Opposition that it is a matter of urgency. We will act
accordingly, and send the new observations for us to get a response as soon as possible. I am not
saying that the observations of the ILO are flawed. What I am saying is that they should have all
the information on board in order to come with a new finding. That would be a fairer principle.
Mr Ganoo: As things are today, can the hon. Minister confirm whether an employer is
entitled to request a worker to begin his week on any day, that is, on a Sunday, and that when he
is performing work on a Sunday, he is not paid additional remuneration?
Mr Mohamed: With regard to work on a Sunday, section 14(5) of the Employment
Rights Act provides for a mandatory rest period, as I have stated earlier on, of, at least, 24
consecutive hours in every period of seven consecutive days. Those provisions are in line with
Article 2 of the Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention of 1921, (No. 14). Our law also provides
and specifies that the rest day shall be, at least, twice a month; it will be a Sunday or any other
day, as may be agreed upon between the worker and the employer. This provision, therefore,
does not violate Article 2(3) of the Convention, and I must here also state that this flexibility is
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present in our law. And this is precisely the flexibility in our law which, unfortunately - I must
admit here - in our first response to the ILO, was not clearly shown to the committee. This is
what we are trying to show to the committee now, namely that there exists flexibility in our law.
SCHOOLS – NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS
(No. 1B/260) Mrs L. Ribot (Third Member for Stanley & Rose Hill) asked the
Minister of Education and Human Resources whether, in regard to national examinations at
Form III level, he will state –
(a)
the purpose thereof;
(b)
when they will be introduced, and
(c)
the options that will be offered to students who fail thereat.
(Withdrawn)
The Deputy Speaker: Next item!
MOTION
SUSPENSION OF S. O. 10(2)
The Deputy Prime Minister: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I move that all the business on
today’s Order Paper be exempted from the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order 10.
Jugnauth) rose and seconded.
Question put and agreed to.
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
RICHE TERRE LAND SETTLEMENT –
EX-VEGETABLE GROWERS
The Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security (Mr S. Faugoo): Mr Deputy
Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I wish to make a statement in response to the intervention of
hon. Ganoo on the 23 ex-vegetable growers of Riche Terre Land Settlement at Adjournment time
last Tuesday.
72
The Noël/Ramkissoon Committee was set up to enable Government to take a fair and just
decision. We have taken cognizance of the recommendations in the report. The recommendations
have been examined and Government has offered a package which is in consonance with what is
proposed in the Noël/ Ramkissoon Report.
The package being offered to the planters is, in fact, a better one than the initial package
offered to them. In addition to the compensation of Rs120,000 per arpent and relocation, the
planters are also entitled to support under the Food Security Fund for land preparation, fertilizers
and seeds, upgrading of irrigation network, fencing and other upgrading works that may be
necessary and which have been estimated to cost around Rs120, 000 per arpent, excluding other
upgrading works in connection with water logging and access roads being considered by the
Food Security Fund. Such assistance has the advantage of providing the planters with the
opportunity and better possibilities of continuing in the past activities in a conducive
environment and not only continue earning their livelihood but also contribute to improve food
security in Mauritius.
In the light of what I have stated and as a decision has already been taken on the matter, I
would appeal to the ex-planters to accept the proposal of Government which is in the interest of
one and all. The report having been commissioned to enable Government to take a fair and just
decision on this issue, I consider that it would neither be judicious nor appropriate to table or
release the report.
Thank you.
LE MORNE VILLAGE– SCABIES OUTBREAK – REMEDIAL MEASURES
The Minister of Health and Quality of Life (Mrs S. Hanoomanjee): Mr Deputy
Speaker, Sir, following the issue raised at Adjournment time by the First Member for Savanne
and Black River on scabies on Tuesday 29 June 2010, I wish to make a statement on remedial
measures taken by my Ministry to address the problem of scabies at Le Morne.
As I have already mentioned on Tuesday last, on 16 June 2010, I sent a medical team to
carry out screening of the pupils of Le Morne Government School and Case Noyale R.C.A. for
cases of scabies. The results indicated that 60 pupils out of 144 at Le Morne Government School
and 47 pupils out of 199 at Case Noyale had the disease. Pupils of Le Morne Pre-Primary School
were also screened and eight cases were detected out of a total number of 43 pupils. An
adequate number of vials of medication for the treatment of scabies were provided to the Deputy
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Head Teacher of Le Morne Government School to be made available to the parents of the
affected pupils immediately.
I personally visited Le Morne Government School on Wednesday 16 June, where I had a
meeting accompanied by officers of my Ministry, with all the parents and the pupils. Talks on
health education pertaining to personal hygiene and safe sanitary practices to sensitise the
parents and the children were given. The parents were explained that all the members of the
family need to be treated if one member has been affected by scabies. They were briefed on all
precautionary measures and they were also explained that scabies is an infestation of the skin
which spreads rapidly where there are unhygienic conditions and overcrowding, leading to
frequent skin-to-skin contacts.
During the course of discussion with the parents, I was informed that the inhabitants of
Le Morne had water supply problems in the area.
In view thereof, I contacted the Central Water Authority so that an adequate supply of
water is made available in the region. I am personally following the issue closely. The list of all
households where there is scarcity of water is being finalised through a house to house survey
and will be submitted to the CWA which will then make arrangements to provide water tanks to
these households.
On 30 June last, that is, two weeks after, another survey revealed that the number of cases
at Case Noyale had decreased from 47 to 17, at Le Morne Government School from 66 to 25 and
from 8 to 3 at Le Morne Pre-Primary School. 16 pupils at Le Morne Government School were
found to be among the previous 66 pupils with scabies. These cases are now being treated with
Ivermectin tablet, instead of lotion used initially, in accordance with the new protocol for
treatment of scabies.
Regarding absenteeism in primary schools due to scabies, as stated by the First Member
for Savanne and Black River, statistics obtained from the Ministry of Education and Human
Resources revealed that in Zone 4, there is no increase in the trend of absenteeism for period
January to May as the percentage absenteeism was 18.2 in 2009 and 16.4 in 2010.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in addition to the above measures, my Ministry has also
organised a “Training for Trainers” workshop on scabies on Friday 02 July for about 230 officers
working in the community, including Social Welfare Officers, Community Development
Officers, Family Support Officers, motivators of my Ministry and of the Ministry of Gender
Equality, Child
74
Development and Family Welfare. The trainers would subsequently train the NGOs and
the Community Health Leaders in their respective localities.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the problem of scabies is a national one. In fact, throughout the
island, cases of scabies have been reported but the situation is fully under control and my
Ministry is monitoring the cases. My Ministry has set up a multi-sectoral committee on scabies
with all relevant stakeholders. The committee ensures coordination among all stakeholders and
has already come up with the following recommendations –
I.
an aggressive education campaign be launched throughout the
island;
II.
pamphlets and posters on preventive actions be prepared and
distributed to the public;
III.
the Principal Community Health Nursing Officers in each region to
intensify the School Health Programmes in schools;
IV.
screening for scabies be integrated in the National Screening
Programme of the NCD;
V.
the Health Inspectorate to inspect those specific areas where cases
of scabies are being reported;
VI.
the pharmacy section to ensure availability of Ivermectin tablets
and other drugs for the treatment of scabies, and
VII.
mobile clinics be set up in those regions where outbreaks were
being reported with a view to easing access to medication as well as
to carry out health education sessions.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am soliciting the support of all my colleagues who, in one way
or the other, are involved with the community and with social integration, without which all
efforts pertaining to medical management to contain the disease will not have its impact to
remedy the whole situation.
Thank you.
PUBLIC BILLS
First Reading
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On motion made and seconded the following Bills were read a first time –
(a)
The Supplementary Appropriation (2008-2009) (No. 2) Bill (No. XII of 2010)
(b)
The Supplementary Appropriation (2009) Bill (No. XIII of 2010)
(c)
The Sugar Cane Planters Trust (Repeal) Bill (No. XIV of 2010)
MOTION
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME 2010-2015
Order read for resuming adjournment debate on the following motion of
the hon. Fourth Member for Vacoas and Floreal (Ms S. Anquetil):
“This Assembly resolves that the Government Programme 2010-2015
presented to this Assembly on Tuesday 08 June 2010, copy of which has
been circularised amongst Honourable Members, be and is hereby
approved”.
Question again proposed.
Mr J. C. Barbier (Second Member for GRNW & Port Louis West):
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me, first of all, to congratulate you for your
election as Member of the National Assembly and also as Deputy Speaker of this
Assembly.
My congratulation also goes to Mr Speaker and to all the elected Members of the last
general election, but my special congratulations to those who have been appointed Ministers,
PPS and Members of the House for the first time. I pray that all the new Members of this august
Assembly be not arrogant, but very serviable to their constituents compared to some who were in
this House during the past mandate. Fortunately, most of them are not here today. They did not
even obtain a ticket; they were not candidates. I had to make this remark and I will ask all the
new Members of this House not to follow these examples and to be humble, serviable à leurs
mandants.
76
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have been a Member of this Assembly for four consecutive
mandates. I know hon. Bhagwan is a Member of this Assembly for the seventh time; the hon.
Leader of the Opposition for the eighth time; hon. Ganoo maybe for the seventh or eighth time
and there are many on the other side of the House, like hon. Von-Mally, for the fourth time.
Some Members, on the other side of the House, are here for many mandates now.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, since 1982, I have been an MMM candidate for the Municipal
election and an MMM activist for the 1982 general election where we had 60-0. Since then, I
have been involved in all the Municipal and general election campaigns. Believe me, each
election campaign brings its own experience. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, during this election, I
took cognizance of a change in the mindset of the candidates and the voters because, today,
people campaign for personal benefits. There are less and less voters who vote for a vision, for a
programme, for a model society and for clear social objectives. Most people today will look for
their own interest first.
The constat, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is that some activists may work for a party for an
election and for another party for another election. It is a question of money for many of them.
Whoever gives more, they will work for them. This shift in the mindset of our activists and
voters is very dangerous because this is giving rise to a new class of politicians. The politicians
of today have to be financially well secured. They must have plenty of money in their pockets.
This may also give rise to rich politicians who have other agendas than to serve their
constituents.
People’s mindset has changed in the society at large. This makes me very sad, Mr
Deputy Speaker, Sir, because this, as I said, will give rise to classes of politicians who will cater
for their own interests and will try, by all means, to make as much money as they can to be able
to spend more on the campaigns. This is what is going to happen to the politicians in the future
if we keep going on this trend as far as campaigning is concerned. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this
is going to be very dangerous for our society because whatever beautiful words are said in the
programmes and in the Budget are going to be secondaire because politicians will give prior
considerations ailleurs.
C’est pour cela, M. le président, que je dis que les débats sur les différents discoursprogrammes et les budgets que j’ai assistés sont toujours remplis de bonnes intentions, de belles
phrases mais, très souvent, il n’y a pas d’actions. Très souvent, cela reste que de belles paroles.
Certains politiciens et ministres font des déclarations fracassantes en public. Ils disent beaucoup
77
de choses pour essayer de redresser la situation et de faire la lumière sur beaucoup de dossiers.
Quand ils sont au Parlement, lorsqu’ils doivent répondre aux questions, aux Private Notice
Questions, ils se contredisent dans leurs propos et dans les réponses qu’ils donnent au Parlement
et tout cela sans gêne et sans complexe. Donc, M. le président, c’est chagrinant de voir comment
les choses évoluent au niveau de différents politiciens dans ce Parlement. C’est navrant pour
l’avenir de la démocratie mauricienne.
Revenant au discours-programme du Président, c’est un récit des intentions du
gouvernement pour les prochains cinq ans, mais je ne comprends pas, M. le président, comment
les contradictions dans ce discours-programme sont aussi éloquentes par rapport aux actions
concrètes qu’a menées ce gouvernement de l’Alliance sociale pendant les cinq dernières années.
M. le président, je vais citer ce qui est dit à la première page, chapitre 5 de ce discoursprogramme “The Constitution we inherited from the founding fathers of the nation has served us
well. However, no matter how well our institutions may be seen to be functioning, they
need to be adjusted to help the country face new challenges. We need a constitutional
regime that will strengthen our democracy, promote nation-building and further entrench
the fundamental rights and freedom of all Mauritians”.
M. le président, l’action gouvernementale pendant ces cinq dernières années n’a
aucunement épousé la philosophie de ce paragraphe. Expliquez-moi, M. le président, comment,
durant les cinq années écoulées, les différents groupes sectaires sont montés en puissance ?
Avec la bénédiction de l’exécutif de ce pays, M. le président ! Est-ce que c’est cela la nationbuilding ? Est-ce que cela reflète vraiment ce qui est dit dans ce discours-programme pour les
cinq ans à venir ? Nous avons vu ces différents groupes sectaires monter en puissance pendant
ces cinq dernières années, que ce soit ethnie ou autre. Ceci démontre que, de par cet état de
choses toléré par l’État, on ne peut dire que ce gouvernement est en train de promouvoir une
nation-building.
M. le président, c’est impossible d’accepter cela. Nous avons vu aussi, ces cinq dernières
années, les étudiants descendre dans la rue pour avoir le subside aux fees d’examens. ‘L’Express’
a été boycotté au profit d’autres journaux qui se vendaient rarement car, très souvent, ces
journaux sont donnés en cadeau dans le bus quand on voyage le matin. Est-ce que c’est de cette
façon que le gouvernement protège nos droits fondamentaux ? Nous avons été informés que des
librairies publiques ont reçu l’instruction de ne plus acheter certains journaux du pays. Est-ce
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qu’on peut dire que ce gouvernement, en se comportant ainsi, est en train de protéger le droit à la
liberté d’expression ? Pourtant, nous savons que beaucoup de Mauriciens, en particulier, des
étudiants et des travailleurs, fréquentent ces bibliothèques pour pouvoir lire un maximum de
journaux, de publications et des magazines qui sont distribués gratuitement et, malheureusement,
pas tous les journaux qui sont permis d’être lus depuis quelque temps. J’espère qu’entre temps ce
problème a été résolu. Mais, malgré cela, M. le président, je constate qu’on ne protège pas assez
nos droits et nos libertés d’expression. Cette hypocrisie va-t-elle encore durer ? Il faut donc
arrêter de baratiner la population avec de belles paroles et de belles phrases parce que les actions
ne vont pas suivre.
M. le président, dans le même ordre d’idées – to add insult to injury – le chapitre 8 du
programme se lit comme suit et je cite “8.
Government is committed to supporting the fundamental rights of all citizens,
including privacy rights and freedom of expression. A plural, fair and independent media
is an essential component of a democratic system. Accordingly, Government will
introduce legislation for media law reform. Government will also support greater
professionalism in the media and the powers and functions of the Independent
Broadcasting Authority will be reviewed to provide for ethical conduct and safeguard of
the fundamental rights of all our citizens.”
M. le président, suivant toutes ces actions, que je qualifierais d’anti-démocratiques contre
la liberté d’expression, vient maintenant s’ajouter un paragraphe pour nous faire croire que le
gouvernement a vraiment l’intention de professionnaliser, de réglementer, d’assurer notre liberté
d’expression à travers le law reform. M. le président, nous savons tous ce qui s’est passé en ce
qui concerne les journaux tout récemment et aussi notre ami Ananda Raju ; la façon dont il a été
interpellé par la police et mené aux casernes centrales. Heureusement que nos amis avocats
étaient là. Toutes les actions prises récemment par le gouvernement concernant ‘l’Express’, ‘Le
Militant’ et, je peux ajouter à cela, le cas du Dr. Rama Sithanen, nous démontrent clairement que
ce sont des actions à tuer la liberté d’expression et la démocratie. Comment maintenant supporter
le massacre journalier que nous fait vivre la MBC ? Il y a manipulation d’images, campagne à
outrance de politique partisane par le gouvernement du jour, malversation financière au niveau
de la MBC, petit copinage, protection familiale, abus d’autorité, recrutement à outrance des
travailleurs ‘kas poseur’.
(Interruptions)
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Il parait que c’est un nouveau métier à la MBC ! Est-ce que c’est cela le
professionnalisme dont nous parle ce programme, M le président ? Est-ce que c’est de la bonne
gouvernance? Plus hypocrite que cela tu meurs ! Le programme gouvernemental ne fait aucune
mention de télévision privée et je pense que c’est tant mieux, M. le président, parce
qu’aujourd’hui, avec la montée en puissance économique, certains groupes essaient, par tous les
moyens, d’acheter tous les journaux ; si ce n’est pas les journaux, ils essaient d’acheter les
journalistes et, si ce n’est pas les journalistes, ils essaient même d’acheter les conjoints !
(Interruptions)
Il y en a des cas ! Alors ils mettent en place des compagnies liées par les mêmes
actionnaires et ils font tout leur possible pour acheter ou racheter les actions des journaux. Ils
veulent contrôler l’information, contrôler la psychologie de la masse et aussi manipuler à leur
guise l’opinion publique. Ce gouvernement peut-il vraiment protéger notre liberté d’expression
dans les présentes conditions alors que se dessinent à l’horizon et autour de nous de tels
vautours, des compagnies qui montent en puissance et qui essaient de tout acheter et de tout
contrôler ?
M. le président, on se demande, avec ce qui se dessine à l’horizon, jusqu’où vont-ils aller
pour pouvoir vraiment protéger notre liberté d’expression ? M. le président, comme je viens de le
dire, tant mieux s’ils n’ont pas mentionné la télévision privée parce que je sais que cela aurait
tombé dans les mains des mêmes vautours ! Alors attendons venir la démocratisation au niveau
du média, de l’information et, à ce moment-là, ce serait souhaitable qu’on y vienne une fois pour
toutes avec le projet d’une télévision privée à Maurice.
On peut constater un autre cas d’hypocrisie, M. le président, avec la création du ministère
de l’intégration sociale. C’est incroyable! M. le président, je salue cette décision, mais c’est ce
même Parti Travailliste au pouvoir en 2005 qui avait fait campagne contre les décisions prises
par le gouvernement MSM-MMM pour l’intégration sociale et je cite « le démantèlement des
réseaux des travailleurs des rues ». C’était eux, après les élections de 2005. Qu’est-ce qui n’avait
été dit en ce qui concerne les écoles ZEP ? On les avait qualifiés de zèbre ! En ce qui concerne
nos actions pour l’autonomie de Rodrigues, vous en souvenez vous, M. le président ? Qu’est-ce
qu’ils n’ont pas dit ? Nos travailleurs des rues étaient là pour affronter la racine du problème de
la pauvreté dans les différents quartiers de notre île Maurice et de Rodrigues. Pourquoi avoir
démantelé tout cela en 2005 ? Pourquoi avoir fait campagne contre les écoles ZEP ? Pourquoi,
du côté de l’Alliance sociale, avoir fait campagne contre l’autonomie de Rodrigues et aussi
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contre les logements sociaux qu’on avait construits pendant ce temps-là ? Je vous rappelle que
j’avais moi-même déposé un DVD sur la table de l’Assemblée Nationale pour bien démontrer
tout ce que j’avance et cela s’est passé dans l’une de leurs réunions privées dans le nord dans les
années 2005. Il y a des preuves que j’ai déposées à l’Assemblée Nationale par rapport à ce que
j’avance concernant cette campagne communale qui avait été orchestrée en 2005 contre toutes
ces mesures pour combattre la pauvreté, dont l’intention n’était pas pour une seule communauté.
Tout cela avait été très mal compris. Ils avaient fait un amalgame des décisions concernant les
écoles ZEP, l’autonomie de Rodrigues, la politique de logement d’alors et même, M. le
président, la politique de la réforme de l’éducation qu’avait entamée l’honorable Steve
Obeegadoo.
Ils avaient fait un amalgame de tout pour présenter cela comme des actions politiques en
faveur d’une seule communauté de l’île Maurice. Le résultat est qu’aujourd’hui l’Alliance de
l’Avenir se rend compte de la gravité de la situation. La situation est vraiment grave. Entretemps, étant donné cette politique de boycotter toutes ces réformes qu’on avait entamées, il y a
eu ce que l’ex-ministre Sithanen appelait lui-même, l’absolute poverty. Donc, aujourd’hui on
constate les dégâts : une société appauvrie et l’émergence de nouveaux pauvres, voire même,
comme je viens de le dire, l’absolute poverty, comme qualifié par ce gouvernement.
Concernant ces mesures sociales, M. le président, si on n’avait pas démoli tout cela,
aujourd’hui on n’aurait pas connu tous ces maux, du moins pas de cette envergure. Il y a eu des
problèmes au niveau social. Si on n’avait pas démoli toutes ces réformes au niveau de
l’éducation entre autres, si l’Alliance Sociale avait abordé ces problèmes avec moins de
décisions sectaires, avec plus de considérations démocrates, serons-nous arrivés à ce point ?
Hélas, il fallait plaire à certains, M. le président ! Certains élus de l’Alliance Sociale avaient fini
par croire dans leur démagogie et aujourd’hui ils essaient de réparer cela avec la création d’un
ministère de l’intégration sociale après avoir eux-mêmes tout désintégré, tout démantelé, M. le
président. Concernant le ministère qui vient d’être créé, ils n’ont même pas le staffing et les
ressources qu’il faut, pas de personnel approprié, ils sont sans repère. Ils sont là, ils essaient de
regrouper les différents organismes existants sous leurs chapeaux, mais il n’y a même pas un
budget voté à cet effet pour l’année financière en cours. Donc, il y a tout à refaire.
Heureusement, qu’entre-temps, l’Alliance de l’Avenir aborde ce problème de la pauvreté avec un
regard beaucoup plus mauricien, moins sectaire. Tant mieux, on va voir si on va pouvoir
rattraper les cinq précieuses années perdues, M. le président. Il y a tout à refaire, comme je l’ai
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dit. Alors, j’espère qu’au prochain budget, ce ministère aura le support financier nécessaire pour
une fédération de gens et une organisation à vocation sociale pour s’attaquer aux problèmes avec
toute la sincérité possible de ce qu’est le problème de la pauvreté à Maurice. Il nous faut une
approche sincère et dépasser tous ces clivages à base communale, les raisons sectaires qui ont
accompagné ces raisonnements dans leur politique cinq ans de cela.
Depuis les cinq dernières années, M. le président, un autre secteur qui a été complètement
négligé est celui de la pêche. On n’a eu droit qu’à des discours d’intention. Il n’y avait personne
pour faire le suivi, pour concrétiser ces politiques d’intention à travers le programme, les
différents budgets qui ont été votés ces cinq dernières années. Malgré l’appel pour un ministère
de la pêche à part entière, le Premier ministre a fait la sourde oreille. La requête est venue du
Parlement, des organisations des syndicats des pêcheurs. Ces pêcheurs sont même descendus
plusieurs fois dans la rue pour se faire entendre mais, malheureusement, M. le président, rien n’a
été fait. Et pourtant, après cinq ans, on s’attendait au moins que ce nouveau gouvernement
accorde un ministre à part entière aux problèmes de la pêche, de nos lagons, de nos protections
marines entre autres parce qu’il y a vraiment beaucoup de travail dans ces secteurs. Le ministre
fait toujours la sourde oreille et on n’a pas eu droit à un ministre pour s’occuper à part entière des
problèmes de la pêche encore une fois. Et pourtant, il y beaucoup de requêtes qui, depuis ces
cinq dernières années, traînent toujours au niveau de ce ministère.
On attend toujours le Fish Auction Market depuis cinq ans, M. le président. Pourtant, le
financement de ce projet avait déjà été obtenu depuis des années. L’argent est là : R 25 m. du
gouvernement de Luxembourg à cet effet.
Donc, l’argent dort quelque part, les intérêts
s’accumulent et le projet ne démarre toujours pas! Pourquoi cinq ans ? Tout simplement parce
qu’il n’y a eu personne pour faire le suivi de ce projet. A un certain moment, ça allait être tout
près du Trou Fanfaron. Ils avaient vu que c’était dans le secteur de l’Aapravasi Ghat et qu’il
fallait le bouger ailleurs et ça a bougé depuis. Le projet est rédigé sur papier, mais on attend
toujours ! Déjà cinq ans, six ans se sont écoulés et on attend toujours le Fish Auction Market !
Il y a eu aussi le problème tant complexe de l’aquaculture. Il y a ceux qui sont pour et
ceux qui sont contre. Il y a ceux qui sont en faveur pour combattre le problème de l’alimentation
pour les années à venir, mais il faut écouter ceux qui sont contre et qui disent que cela peut être
un problème d’ordre écologique pour notre environnement. Ils ont leurs raisons ; ils ont des
dossiers, ils ont fait des conférences. Donc, il faudrait que le ministre essaie de mettre tout ce
beau monde autour d’une table et en discuter afin de trouver des solutions. Allons-nous avoir
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une industrie d’aquaculture comme on a déjà commencé à Mahebourg comme un projet pilote ?
Est-ce qu’il y aura une continuité dans cette voie ou on va s’arrêter là? Pendant cinq ans, ils
n’ont rien fait et on n’a rien eu comme résultat. Valeur du jour, il est difficile à dire s’il y aura
des développements du côté de l’aquaculture ou pas. On attend toujours, M. le président. Il y a
aussi le problème de la pollution de nos lagons qui ne cesse de s’aggraver. D’année en année, on
constate que l’industrialisation ainsi que les hôtels amènent leurs lots de ressources ainsi que
leurs lots de problèmes par rapport à notre environnement, à notre écosystème. Donc, les
pêcheurs ont attiré l’attention des différents organismes et ministères concernés depuis belle
lurette mais, malheureusement, il n’y a pas encore eu une politique concise à cet effet, pour que
nous puissions savoir dans quelle direction aller pour les prochains 20 à 50 ans dans une petite
île Maurice très fragile, écologiquement parlant.
Donc, toujours concernant nos pêcheurs, il y a le prix, aujourd’hui, du carburant, M. le
président. Avec la flambée de cet élément, aussi important dans leurs activités industrielles, la
rentabilité de ce métier est très difficile à cause, précisément, du prix du carburant qui est
vraiment trop élevé. Ils ont attiré l’attention du ministre et du gouvernement pas mal de fois sur
ce problème. Le gouvernement propose-t-il une certaine solution? Le gouvernement va-t-il
proposer une certaine politique pour pouvoir subventionner les pêcheurs ou autrement les aider
pour l’achat de carburant ? Y aura-t-il quand même des considérations dans cette direction? On
attend toujours, depuis cinq belles années, concernant la requête. Il y a différentes requêtes
d’ailleurs des syndicats des pêcheurs.
Le Fish Aggregating Device est tout le temps hors service, il y a toujours des réparations
à faire. On est supposé avoir d’autre FADs, comme on dit, des radeaux autour de l’île. Donc on
attend toujours ces radeaux qui tombent en ruine, qui sont cassés et qui ne sont pas réparés. Le
nombre de radeaux est en train de diminuer. On ne sait toujours pas si le gouvernement va
investir dans le projet concernant la réfection de ces dizaines ou centaines de radeaux qui sont
placés autour de l’île, soit 10,000 à 15,000 kms du rivage.
M. le président, il y a aussi le problème du bad weather allowance qui est très mal
réparti. Le bad weather allowance était autrefois payé à tous les pêcheurs dès qu’il y avait un
problème par rapport au kilométrage du vent. Je pense, qu’à l’époque, c’était 40 kilomètres Au
delà de 40 kilomètres de vent, tout le monde était payé un bad weather allowance. Il était trop
risqué de sortir en mer dans des conditions pareilles. Puis, on a révisé cela. Donc, il y a ceux qui
pêchent dans les lagons et ceux qui pêchent hors lagon. Ils sont traités différemment par rapport
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au bad weather allowance. Les pêcheurs sont très mécontents de cette nouvelle politique qui a
été appliquée et qui n’est pas du tout rationnelle. On attend toujours d’avoir une certaine
rationalité. Donc, les pêcheurs ont beau dire tous leurs problèmes, malheureusement, on fait
toujours la sourde oreille par rapport à toutes les doléances qu’ils ont soumises ces cinq dernières
années.
Le Fishermen Investment Trust et le Fishermen Welfare Fund, M. le président, sont
aujourd’hui eux-mêmes des bateaux sans boussole. Ils n’ont pas de gouvernail, pas de direction.
Donc, des personnes sans conviction, sans expérience sont à la tête de ces organisations. Le
contrôle de notre zone économique exclusive est maintenant presque inexistant. J’ai vu dans les
journaux que bientôt, on achètera un bateau de l’Inde et qu’on aura trois autres petits bateaux des
Etats-Unis. Donc, j’espère que ces bateaux auront les différents professionnels requis et iront en
mer, et ne resteront pas au port comme ‘Le Vigilant’, et qu’ils vont protéger notre zone
économique exclusive. Nous demandons cela depuis des années.
M. le président, les pêcheurs qui sont sur les bancs aussi ont des problèmes. Ils n’ont pas
d’encadrement légal en ce qui concerne leur profession ; ils ne sont réglementés par aucune
Renumeration Order. Ils ont pas mal de problèmes quand ils ne vont pas pêcher pendant l’hiver.
Tous ces problèmes ont été soulevés et restent entier. Le nouveau ministre responsable du
secteur de la pêche est là, et je sais qu’il prête une oreille attentive à tout ce qui se dit par rapport
à la pêche. J’espère de tout cœur qu’il donnera une attention spéciale à tous ces problèmes.
Actuellement, M. le président, des bateaux étrangers pillent nos ressources en poisson.
Les permis aux bateaux étrangers sont mal réglementés, et le Memorandum of Understanding
entre le gouvernement et le syndicat des pêcheurs n’est pas respecté, sans compter les pêcheurs
qui n’ont toujours pas leurs cartes. Il y a pas mal de pêcheurs qui vont à la pêche et qui n’ont pas
leurs cartes de pêcheur. Il y en a d’autres qui, à 70 ans, 75 ans, 80 ans, ne veulent plus aller en
mer, mais ont toujours leurs cartes et touchent le bad weather allowance. Donc, le syndicat des
pêcheurs a fait des représentations et a proposé une solution à ce problème. On a demandé une
certaine compensation ou lump sum pour ces vieux pêcheurs qui ne peuvent plus aller en mer, de
sorte qu’on pourrait récupérer leurs cartes et les distribuer aux nouveaux ou jeunes pêcheurs qui
sont en attente depuis des années. Mais, après cinq ans, M. le président, toujours rien à cet effet.
Donc, c’est très chagrinant. M. le président, combien de temps faudra-t-il attendre encore pour
que le Premier ministre comprenne la nécessité d’avoir un ministre à part entière pour ce
ministère ? Moi, je suis désespéré ; on nous parle d’intégration sociale, alors qu’on a vu toutes
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ces misères que nos amis pêcheurs, entre autres, ont eues pendant cinq ans. Bref, il n’y a aucun
commitment du gouvernement pour redresser la situation. Je ne sais quoi dire de plus pour
convaincre le Premier ministre de la nécessité d’avoir beaucoup plus d’attention envers ce
secteur. Et pourtant, il y a beaucoup de possibilités.
Il y a même des possibilités
d’investissement, avec des retombés économiques très importants pour des investisseurs
mauriciens dans ce secteur, M. le président. Mais, je pense que le gouvernement a d’autres
priorités que le secteur de la pêche.
M. le président, autre hypocrisie du gouvernement se situe au niveau de l’administration
régionale. En 2005, durant la campagne électorale, l’Alliance sociale avait fait campagne contre
le projet de municipalisation de toute l’île Maurice. Ils avaient dit : zotte pe met taxe rurale lor
ou ; voilà ce que le gouvernement MSM-MMM, avec leurs municipalités, est en train de faire !
Vous allez payer la taxe ! Nous, on voulait tout simplement donner un traitement équitable aux
citoyens des régions rurales et des régions urbaines. Malheureusement, l’Alliance sociale avait
crié sur tous les toits que ce n’était qu’une stratégie pour faire payer la taxe rurale aux habitants
de ces régions. Des campagnes, encore une fois, à caractère communal, que certains avaient
propulsées partout, dans des régions appelées ‘la campagne’ de notre pays.
M. le président, aujourd’hui, je constate que l’Alliance sociale, maintenant l’Alliance de
l’Avenir, qui était contre la loi qu’on avait votée en 2003 - quand ils sont venus au Parlement, ils
ont rejeté ce projet de loi ; ils ont même révoqué ce projet de loi de 2003 - va venir avec une
législation, encore une fois, pour avoir d’autres municipalités à travers le pays. Donc, which is
which? Où est la rationalité ? Pourquoi avoir révoqué cette loi de 2003 pour revenir avec
presque la même loi? Ils allaient soi-disant travailler pour voir une législation plus appropriée et
moderne. Mais, entre-temps, il y a eu l’imposition de la taxe rurale sous une autre forme,
notamment la NRPT, et les projets qu’on a entendus pendant cinq ans ne viendront jamais
jusqu’à la fin de leur mandat. Et voici qu’on entend parler de nouveau de la création de nouvelles
municipalités ! Mais, cette fois-ci, c’est ce même parti politique qui était farouchement opposé
au projet de loi de 2003 qui va venir présenter à la Chambre quelque chose qui n’est pas nouveau
pour le pays, et encore moins, pour nous, l’opposition du jour. Pourquoi avons-nous, donc, perdu
tout ce temps, M. le président, si c’est pour retourner à la case départ? Donc, les citoyens de ce
pays ont droit à des explications, parce qu’ils sont en train de payer très cher l’égocentrisme de
certains politiciens qui croient détenir le monopole de l’intelligence. Aujourd’hui, M. le
président, dans les villes et les villages, les problèmes se sont multipliés. Au quotidien, on entend
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sur les radios tous les problèmes politiques, de drains, de rues, d’éclairage, des services de voirie.
Une dégradation ! Personne ne peut nous contredire. Pour ce qui est des cinq villes qu’on a
aujourd’hui, les gens constatent qu’on a quand même reculé considérablement. A force de faire
de ces mairies des institutions de clientélisme politique, on ne s’en sort plus. D’un maire à
l’autre, la politique change. Aujourd’hui, il y a une incapacité d’avoir des décisions claires dans
les municipalités pour au moins les cinq ans à venir. Par exemple, à Port Louis, sous un maire,
des marchands ambulants ne peuvent pas travailler à la rue Desforges, alors que l’autre maire qui
lui succède leur dit : « non, travail, pas de problème, korek sa ! » Alors, vous avez d’autres qui
essaient de mettre de l’ordre et d’autres aussi après qui viennent mettre du désordre tout
simplement à
cause de leur clientèle politique. On ne peut plus gérer comme ça, c’est
inacceptable. Les citadins ont droit à une politique concise, claire et nette - qu’ils soient
chauffeurs de taxis,
marchants ambulants, nettoyeurs de rues - concernant la politique du
logement, le municipal, les loisirs ou le sport. Donc, il n’y a plus de discussions, de visions, de
propositions concrètes et concises pour au moins un mandat. Alors, d’un maire à l’autre, il y a
des contradictions et ce sont les citadins qui paient les pots cassés, M. le président. Il y a pourtant
quelque chose de très positive que je dois souligner.
Durant ces cinq ans les conseillers
municipaux sont finalement rémunérés. Ils ont un salaire tous les mois, mais they are no more
delivering. J’ai été conseiller municipal pendant bien des années. Il y a eu aussi l’honorable
Bhagwan et l’honorable Baloomoody, entre autres.
Nous étions volontaires.
C’était du
bénévolat. On a fait le maximum pour l’avancement du pays, tout le monde le reconnait. M. le
président, je dois quand même souligner que si, aujourd’hui, on est en train de payer ces
conseillers municipaux, ils devraient donner plus de résultats dans l’intérêt des citadins.
M. le président, l’autre volet que je souhaite toucher concerne les artistes. Je dois dire
qu’ils sont désespérés aujourd’hui car la lutte contre le piratage a pris une dimension beaucoup
plus inquiétante. La production des albums coûte entre R 100,000 à R 300,000, dépendant des
musiciens, des studios ou s’il y a des clips vidéo qui les accompagnent, etc. Cela demande
beaucoup de travail. Ce sont des semaines, des mois et des années des fois avant que des artistes
puissent sortir un album. Mais, M. le président, une fois que ces albums sont sur le marché,
malheureusement, on constate toujours que ces albums sont piratés au lendemain même de leur
sortie et ils sont vendus à R 50 l’unité dans plusieurs de nos rues à Port Louis. M. le président,
c’est vraiment chagrinant, décourageant. Cela fait mal aux artistes qui essaient de garder un
certain héritage, un certain patrimoine, une certaine culture mauricienne.
Ils ne sont pas
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encouragés malgré certains efforts intermédiaires ici et là, mais on attend toujours, M. le
président, des actions concrètes et soutenues pour pouvoir vraiment combattre ce problème de
piratage qui est de plus en plus évident à Maurice. Ce qui est maintenant plus grave c’est que
ces artistes se rendent compte aujourd’hui que même un des producteurs à Maurice - pas
n’importe qui - qui est très fort, très connu, est en train de pirater les artistes.
(Interruptions)
Comment ça se sait ? C’est par certains artistes qui ont travaillé avec ce producteur. Ils ont payé,
allons dire, pour 2,000 CD à la sortie d’un album et à la MASA il n’y a que 500 qui sont
déclarés. Donc, quand les auteurs/compositeurs touchent leur droit mécanique, ils ne gagnent
que le pourcentage lié à 500 CD alors qu’il a eu, au premier tirage, 2,000 CD qui sont sortis.
(Interruptions)
Je parle du premier tirage. Il y a en d’autres qui viennent après, qui sont vendus
localement aux touristes et à la Réunion principalement. A Maurice aussi il y a un gros marché.
On est en droit à se demander où va tout cet argent, comment cela est géré ? Comment se fait-il
que ce producteur ait pu s’approprier de ce qu’on appelle le timbre de la MASA, qui est apposé
sur ces CD pour montrer que ce sont des produits genuine, contrôlés par la MASA. Le problème
est là. Croyez-moi, c’est très décourageant pour les artistes. M. le président, je me fais un devoir
de souligner ce problème ici dans cette Chambre.
M. le président, la MASA, qui est supposée être une association d’artistes, n’est pas sous
le contrôle des artistes aujourd’hui à cause de la représentativité sur le Board. La MASA a un
budget qui tourne autour de R 13 à R 14 millions par an. Il y a un apport étatique qui est de R 1
million ; alors R 1 million sur R 14 millions, l’Etat a plus de représentants sur le Board que
d’artistes, ce qui n’est pas rationnel. Cela ne peut pas continuer ainsi. Les artistes sont menés en
bateau par l’administration de la MASA et, en ce qu’il s’agit de leur royalties, qu’ils soient à
Maurice ou à l’étranger, il n’y a aucune transparence. Il y a une opacité totale. Personne ne sait
quand ou comment ces artistes sont payés. Le ministre des arts et de la culture connaît quelque
chose par rapport à ce problème. Comment se fait-il que les auditeurs, par exemple, n’ont pas
d’audience auprès du Board et en ce qui concerne le performer’s fee pour les artistes tels que le
chanteur, le musicien, le chorégraphe, le danseur qui ne sont pas associés à la MASA pour des
raisons légales, il y quand même provision à cet effet dans le Copyright Act. Comment expliquer
tout cela ? M. le président, il y a pas mal de problèmes au niveau de ce ministère. Je ferai un
appel au ministre des arts et de la culture pour qu’il puisse réunir autour d’une table, le président
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de la MASA, l’administrateur, les représentants des artistes, les éditeurs, les producteurs - en tant
qu’auteurs/compositeurs de la MASA - et moi-même en tant que député.
(Interruptions)
Je pourrais moi-même donner un grand coup de main afin de faire avancer les choses, M.
le ministre, puisque je suis directement concerné. Quant au Copyright Act, depuis des années on
attend une nouvelle législation. C’est toujours en attente. J’espère que dans les jours à venir on
pourra avoir une première ébauche de ce draft. Je demanderais au ministre, avant que cela ne
vienne au Parlement, de s’assurer que ce projet de loi soit bien ventilate parmi all stakeholders et
qu’on ait leur opinion pour ensuite venir au Parlement avec un nouveau Copyright Bill.
M. le président, avant de terminer, je voudrais dire quelques mots concernant ma
circonscription. Dans la conscription No. 1, quatre fois de suite, l’honorable Madame NavarreMarie et moi-même avons été élus. Notre ami, l’honorable Veda Baloomoody, nous a rejoint et
on a maintenant une équipe militante au dans la conscription No. 1. Depuis 1995, on a été en
alliance avec le Parti Travailliste, avec le MSM. On a eu M. Armance du FTS. Depuis des
années, les militants de la circonscription réclamaient trois élus du MMM. Je dois dire un grand
merci à notre leader et à notre bureau politique pour avoir accepter de nous donner trois
militants.
M. le président, qu’ils s’appellent Baloomoody, Rajen Dayalah, Oomar ou Shariff, ce qui
est plus important pour nous dans cette circonscription c’est d’avoir trois militants et, le résultat,
comme vous l’avez constaté, était sans appel malgré que certains nous disaient que ‘zot pe donne
flanc pou laisse whatever rentre dans No. 1’.
Je voudrais dire un grand merci à tous ces électeurs qui ont fait confiance à ce trio. Je
voudrais aussi attirer l’attention de la Chambre sur certains problèmes qui je pense sont assez
urgents. M. le président, le premier concerne la Compagnie Mauricienne de Textile (CMT) à la
Tour Koenig où il y a un problème de pollution. A maintes reprises, j’ai soulevé ce problème au
niveau du Parlement, que ce soit à l’ajournement ou par le biais des questions parlementaires.
Mais je dois dire que très peu d’efforts ont été faits par la CMT pour essayer de résoudre ce
problème de pollution à la Tour Koenig. C’est le plus gros problème à la Tour Koenig.
Pourtant les directeurs de la CMT auraient pu aider à assainir la situation en rehaussant
tout simplement les cheminées qui sont là-bas. Nous ne sommes pas loin de la mer, ils auraient
pu rehausser les cheminées à une hauteur raisonnable et ces particules de fumée auraient été à la
mer au lieu d’atterrir sur les habitations de la région juxtaposée. Donc, cela aurait coûté trois,
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quatre, cinq ou dix millions de roupies pour sauver la santé de ces bébés, de ces enfants qui sont
affectés. Les journaux ont fait état de cela plusieurs fois mais, malheureusement, il n’y a pas eu
beaucoup d’efforts de la part de la compagnie pour assainir la situation.
En ce qui concerne l’élargissement du coastal road à Pointe aux Sables, ces quinze
dernières années on a vu quand même des développements énormes au niveau des lotissements
résidentiels – région la Pointe jusqu’à Petite Rivière. Il y a plusieurs morcellements qui ont été
développés. Il y a des maisons partout. Il y a beaucoup de gens relativement, je dirais, aisés qui
sont venus habiter la région et ils ont tous au moins une voiture, si ce n’est pas plus. Donc, ceci
dit, il y a tous les jours un trafic routier de plus en plus important sur la route côtière de Pointe
aux Sables. Ce qui fait qu’aujourd’hui pour quitter la route de Pointe aux Sables au niveau du
pont de Grande Rivière, c’est devenu une corvée, un casse tête tous les jours pour les habitants
de cette région. Donc, l’élargissement de cette route se fait attendre depuis des années
maintenant. Je voudrais que le ministre concerné puisse prendre note et faire une descente des
lieux avec les élus, PPS et autres parce que tous les terrains qui se trouvent des deux côtés de la
route sont des propriétés d’État. Ce sont des State lands, ce ne sont pas des terrains privés. Je
pense que cela ne devrait pas poser de problème pour acquérir ces terrains qui sont des deux
côtés de la route côtière de Pointe aux Sables qui sont des terrains étatiques.
Ceci m’amène à dire aussi que, concernant la congestion routière à Grande Rivière, je me
souviens avoir fait des site visits dans le passé avec l’honorable Bachoo, le Deputy Prime
Minister, hon. Dr. Beebeejaun, sous différents gouvernements. Je ne sais combien d’ingénieurs
et de techniciens sont venus pour voir comment on pourrait éventuellement soulager le problème
de congestion au niveau du pont de Grande Rivière. Les années passent mais, malheureusement,
il n’y a toujours pas de solution, M. le président. Je voudrais quand même demander à nouveau
au ministre concerné de faire le nécessaire pour qu’on puisse au moins voir la lumière au bout du
tunnel parce qu’il s’agit de décongestion routière au niveau de Grande Rivière.
Concernant le projet de tout-à-l’égout qu’on attend toujours à Pailles, il y a eu
l’acquisition des terrains, le way-leave a été obtenu depuis des années. J’ai vu dans les journaux
le compulsory acquisition que le gouvernement a fait à cet effet pour pouvoir accéder à ce projet.
Depuis il y a eu trente millions de dollars, je pense, d’emprunt qui étaient liés à ce projet depuis
1997, mais jusqu’à maintenant on attend toujours. Le projet ne démarre toujours pas. Donc, je
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demanderai au ministre concerné d’accélérer ce dossier parce que le besoin de connecter au
wastewater est de plus en plus important dans ces régions parce que la terre - c’est ce qu’on
appelle la glaise - n’absorbe pas vraiment l’eau dans cette région et on risque d’avoir des
problèmes assez graves dans les mois qui viennent si on n’arrive pas à démarrer ce projet de
wastewater dans la région de Pailles. Idem pour le problème de l’eau. J’ai déjà soulevé ce
problème récemment mais, malheureusement, j’attends toujours. On va voir dans les mois qui
viennent s’il faut revenir avec une question parlementaire, je vais y revenir.
Le problème de l’eau dans ma circonscription, M. le président, s’est aggravé dans pas
mal de régions depuis quelques années. Donc, je vais y revenir à
travers des questions
parlementaires, mais, en attendant, j’attire l’attention du ministre que ce problème est en train de
devenir un problème national.
M. le président, concernant le trafic à Camp Chapelon - je vais terminer là-dessus - je me
souviens qu’en 2005, beaucoup de ceux qui avaient voté en 2000 pour le MMM étaient très en
colère contre nous. Il y en a dans cette Chambre qui ne diront pas le contraire. Les habitants
étaient très en colère parce qu’on avait fermé l’accès de l’autoroute pour entrer dans Camp
Chapelon parce qu’avec l’augmentation de la limite de vitesse qui passait de 90 kilomètres à 110
kilomètres, les ingénieurs, les techniciens ont vu que le temps qu’un véhicule essaie de négocier
le tournant à gauche pour entrer au Camp Chapelon du côté du CEB, la voiture qui venait de Port
Louis, n’aurait pas le temps de déboucher et cela causerait des accidents régulièrement. C’est
pour cela que les techniciens à l’époque avaient fermé cet accès là. On était dans le
gouvernement. Dans cette région, on avait dit: ‘Voilà nou pé ferme l’accès dans région Camp
Chapelon parski ena enn seul communauté qui habite là’.
(Interruptions)
I swear!
(Interruptions)
Hon. Dr. Beebeejaun knows about it.
The Deputy Speaker: Silence, please!
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Mr Barbier: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, they even said why they did not close the entrance
to Cassis near Royal College because there is another community there. This was the campaign
that they did in 2005. The hon. vice-Prime Minister who was there in a meeting, knew what he
promised to the people there? ‘Pas tracassé, deux semaines après quand nou gayne election, we
are going to open this road’. Five years have passed now. No one can open this road because of
this problem of access. This is the blunt truth, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Today, I know we cannot
reopen this road for security reasons, but I am requesting this Government - which promised the
people of this region - to at least give access and have a flyover system for vehicles and people to
get in Camp Chapelon. This is not my promise. This is Government’s promise and I expect that,
in the next five years, this will be done.
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.
At 4.48 p.m. the sitting was suspended
On resuming at 5.26 p.m. with Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair.
The Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare (Mrs S.
Bappoo): M. le président, je voudrais d’abord remercier et exprimer ma reconnaissance au
Président de la République, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, pour le discours-programme. Je voudrais
aussi féliciter Mr Speaker pour sa reconduction à cette auguste Assemblée et aussi à vous, Mr
Deputy Speaker, pour votre élection. Je dois aussi féliciter tous ceux, hommes et femmes, qui
ont fait leur entrée pour la première fois à cette auguste Chambre et qui se montrent bien-sûr à la
hauteur de l’attente de leur électorat et aussi faire la fierté de notre pays.
Mais, M. le président, il ne faut pas perdre de vue également, l’engagement positif, la
qualité et le sens de leadership du Premier ministre, l’honorable Dr. Navin Ramgoolam qui,
pendant ces dernières années, a fait de notre pays, un pays phare, sur le plan régional et mondial.
Je suis sûre qu’il fortifiera notre pays avec les grandes réformes à venir, ce qui fera de lui un des
chefs de gouvernement qui fera encore honneur à son pays et à son peuple.
Je ne manquerai pas aussi, M. le président, de féliciter notre jeune parlementaire,
l’honorable Ms Stéphanie Anquetil, ma colistière dans la circonscription de Vacoas/Floréal qui,
par son maiden speech sur le discours-programme, a fait une excellente performance. Elle
représente pour moi, un pan de vie d’une des plus illustres personnalités et grand tribun du Parti
Travailliste, Emmanuel Anquetil, dont les convictions socialistes et travaillistes, créatives et
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imaginatives, ont tracé le destin de notre île Maurice.
Je souhaite du fond du cœur que
l’honorable Ms Stéphanie Anquetil ait une riche et longue carrière parlementaire et je suis
certaine qu’elle apportera sa contribution à l’édifice d’une nation mauricienne, prospère et
intelligente.
M. le président, le discours-programme est réaliste et honnête. Réaliste parce qu’il
s’inspire de la continuité de l’effort dans le travail déjà accompli durant ces cinq dernières
années par le précédent gouvernement. Et honnête dans le sens qu’il est fondé sur des mesures
qui sont conformes aux aspirations de la population, à la justice sociale, à une bonne
redistribution de la richesse nationale aux plus faibles, aux plus vulnérables et à de nouvelles
opportunités.
Cela, en dépit des tentatives de l’opposition, et je dirais bien l’opposition MMM, qui ont
tout fait pour brouiller les cartes; déstabiliser ce que le gouvernement a construit et essayer de
créer un sentiment de malaise social alors que le gouvernement précédent et actuel veut
consolider les relations intercommunautaires.
Pour démontrer la mauvaise volonté de cette opposition, on peut parler, M. le président,
à longueur de journée de ces missionnaires de la haine qui ont voulu faire accroire, lors de la
campagne électorale, par exemple, qu’il existe une division entre les communautés. Cela est très
grave. Cette opposition a vécu dans les plus énormes contradictions et qui démontrent à quel
niveau d’instabilité elle est prête à s’enliser. Je peux aussi citer un exemple flagrant de ma
propre circonscription avec mes deux colistiers, l’honorable Ms Stéphanie Anquetil et
l’honorable Nando Bodha où, à la dernière minute, l’opposition, constatant la défaite, a tout fait
pour diviser notre électorat, l’électorat bleu, blanc, rouge, en se basant sur une campagne
divisionniste et castéiste. On arrive ici pour dire qu’on a des agendas très divisionnistes et
communaux. Cela heurte quand je le dis. C’est pourquoi vous dites : « madame, ce n’est pas
gentil de le dire. » mais nous avons vécu cette propagande durant les quatre à cinq derniers jours.
L’opposition, M. le président, n’a pas digéré sa défaite électorale. Aujourd’hui, elle nous
rabat les oreilles avec des formules creuses car elle n’a pas d’arguments pour convaincre.
Qu’est-ce qu’on venait d’entendre tout à l’heure ? Que des contradictions!
Tout est
contradictoire pour l’opposition. Ils sont eux-mêmes dans la confusion totale.
I have listened to a few comments and criticisms, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, made by a few
members of the Opposition, especially concerning the election which they consider not free and
fair. L’opposition avance des chiffres voulant faire croire qu’il est le parti le plus fort, récoltant
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le plus fort pourcentage des votes. Ce qui gêne dans leur observation, c’est qu’elle est banale et
réductrice, parfois à la limite même du ridicule, car nous savons tous que toute élection se
mesure avec les règles de First Past The Post. L’Alliance de l’Avenir a gagné et l’opposition
assume sa défaite.
From the very outset, I had the impression that whatever was being said, has been uttered
with an intention to create a very bad impression to the effect that Government is responsible for
directing elections which were not based on criteria of equity and fairness and that it has been
doing nothing to improve the electoral procedures to render elections free and fair.
I would like to point out, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that, it has always been the intention of
Government to improve electoral procedures and we are going on improving them. We all know
that we have transparent ballot boxes and, at the same time, stringent regulations regarding
discipline and security procedures are applied inside and outside the polling stations. This makes
our institutional organisation more effective and efficient.
But my only apprehension, Mr
Deputy Speaker, Sir, is - maybe all hon. Members will agree with me – that persons with severe
physical disabilities have had a lot of difficulties to cast their votes. I am sure that appropriate
measures will be taken by the Electoral Commission to improve this situation.
The Ministry for Social Security has already submitted several proposals to the Electoral
Commission for making things easier for disabled persons and why not a special voting room
only for persons with severe disabilities at the ground floor of the polling centres. I am sure that
my colleague, the Minister for Social Security, will see to these measures together with the
Electoral Commission.
When I heard the first Member of Savanne/Rivière Noire telling the House that the last
general election was not free and fair ou a été d’un caractère irrégulier, this is not correct and
it’s not true because, if the hon. Member has taken the pains and time to hear what the
independent observers from the SADC, from the African Union and the Electoral Commissioner
from India - they were all in Mauritius - have said, he would have found for himself that their
overall impression was that the last general election was indeed free and fair to their entire
satisfaction. They acknowledged that the election provided a fairly comprehensive outline of the
electoral systems and procedures in respect of democracy.
Ceci dit, M. le président, permettez-moi de revenir au discours-programme. Le discoursprogramme 2010-2015 commence par préciser au paragraphe 3, la position du gouvernement en
matière de la poursuite de notre politique de démocratisation de l’économie, la transformation de
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notre pays en une société d’opportunités qui sont basées sur les valeurs d’unité, de l’égalité et de
la modernité. C’est cette vision qui nous permettra de continuer à construire et à consolider nos
acquis et nos réels poids politique à l’avenir.
Le programme gouvernemental, au paragraphe 4, reflète cette politique encore plus
déterminée, encore plus active en ce qu’il s’agit d’allier avec efficience économique à la justice
sociale. I quote –
« Economic efficiency and social justice will continue to underpin all actions of
Government. Government will resolutely work towards strengthening national unity,
entrenching democracy (…) and ensure that the population at large becomes
stakeholders in national development.”
M. le président, posons-nous pour un instant la question suivante. Comment serait le
pays si on n’avait pas pris les mesures nécessaires pour affronter les difficultés du monde
d’aujourd’hui ? La fin du vingtième siècle et le début du 21e siècle sont certes marqués par un
monde déboussolé où il y a des défis constants au niveau économique, politique, social et
culturel. Nous vivons dans un monde très vulnérable. Nous avons devant nous une image de
déséquilibre mondial avec les risques d’une détérioration du paysage économique.
The economic downturn which is hitting the world cannot be avoided in our country,
Mauritius. The pressure on our economy is very hard and sometimes unbearable. Some of our
problems are beyond the control of Government. But, fortunately for us, as the hon. Prime
Minister always puts it, I quote –
“Our economy is resilient”.
Tous les indicateurs économiques et les signaux d’alarme sont au rouge dans plusieurs
pays. L’Europe, un des principaux marchés, est confrontée à la crise de l’euro, celle qui frappe
les marchés financiers européens et même ceux en Asie. Nous subissons les effets du problème
de la dépréciation de l’euro entraînant avec lui, des problèmes de déstabilisation économique
partout ailleurs. Pour cela, il a fallu une position ferme avec une détermination qui ne laisse à
aucune ambiguïté. D’ailleurs, au paragraphe 81 du programme gouvernemental, il est clairement
fait ressortir que, I quote –
« Government will consolidate the country’s economic resilience to successfully cope
with external shocks and global uncertainties ».
Dans tous les cas, la population aura apprécié le rôle vital que le gouvernement a joué pour
confronter ces problèmes et pour maintenir la résilience de notre économie.
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M. le président, je dois féliciter encore une fois, le Premier ministre, le Dr. Navin
Ramgoolam, et le précédent gouvernement auquel j’ai eu l’honneur d’assumer des
responsabilités. Un gouvernement qui a amené le pays au succès économique durant les cinq
dernières années. Ce ne sont pas des contradictions, c’est la vérité des vérités. Le précédent
gouvernement a renversé une situation de marasme économique hérité en 2005 avec une relance
de la croissance, une baisse considérable de l’inflation, une réduction du déficit budgétaire, la
création de 40,000 emplois directs, le maintien des pensions et des aides sociales aux groupes
vulnérables évaluées à plus de R7 milliards. This is costing the fabulous sum of Rs7 billion,
although we have been going and are still going through difficult period and have not had the
intention either to reduce or to suppress it, as part of our philosophy remains to maintain and to
strengthen the Welfare State.
M. le président, c’est l’équipe - ce n’est pas n’importe qui - gouvernementale.
(Interruptions)
M. le président, je dois dire que sortir le pays de « l’état d’urgence économique » pour
cette ère de prospérité apparente aura été en grande partie grâce à une diplomatie économique à
laquelle, encore une fois, le Premier ministre, le Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, a jeté de tout son poids
politique à la diplomatie économique. D’abord, pour permettre à notre pays de refaire son image
de marque à l’étranger et pour faire bénéficier au pays de multiples avantages découlant des
accords de partenariat avec l’Europe et les Etats-Unis pour faciliter l’écoulement de nos produits
textiles, la Chine pour les R8,5 milliards pour l’agrandissement de l’aéroport SSR, l’Inde pour sa
coopération dans plusieurs autres domaines. Donc, voilà l’illustration, parmi tant d’autres, en
termes de bilan de la politique étrangère et la réussite du gouvernement, et nous allons continuer
dans cette même ligne.
But, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me have a special note now on women candidates in the
last election. Since independence, Sir, our country has made great strides insofar as women’s
emancipation is concerned. As a democratic nation, we have to ensure participation of women in
all walks of life. Our nation has achieved great strides as far as education and career prospects
for women are concerned. We have achieved, during the last 35 years, greater involvement of
women in politics in spite moving from 17.1% in 2005 to only 18.8% this last election. But what
has not been said by the Opposition regarding women candidates of l’Alliance de l’Avenir to the
effect that most of them will be going to l’abattoir? Have you heard that in the press
conferences?
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(Interruptions)
Every night, on the television, we heard that the women candidates from l’alliance Bleu Blanc
Rouge will be going to l’abattoir…
(Interruptions)
C’est ça la place réservée aux femmes en politique ! Aujourd’hui, des grands débats sur femmes
et politique ! Mais je ne m’attendais pas, M. le président, à une telle insulte venant d’un parti qui
prétend être très avant-gardiste à l’égard des femmes, mais qui nous dit maintenant, que la place
de ces femmes est à l’abattoir. On est bien là et trois sont ministres au conseil des ministres, ce
qui représente 12%.
(Interruptions)
M. le président, this Bleu Blanc Rouge alliance has been able to elect nine women, that is,
13.04% and only four to the Opposition, which corresponds to 5.79%. Today, we also have three
lady Ministers and this is the trend which we are following as far as women and politics are
concerned.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me now come to my Ministry, the Ministry of Gender
Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare. Following the enactment of the Equal
Opportunities legislation in this National Assembly in August 2009 and also following what is
going on in the international fora, a full-fledged Ministry of Gender Equality has been set up and
is tied up with Child Development and Family Welfare. This Ministry will, of course, be the key
driver for further achievement of women’s empowerment and, at the same time, gender equality.
It is a renewed commitment of the Prime Minister and the Government to give gender equality
its real place in a modern society and the measures that were spelt out at chapter 11 of the
manifesto of the Government –
(i)
to improve the allocation of resources to women for equity;
(ii)
to respond to their practical and social needs;
(iii)
to support gender mainstreaming and, finally
(iv)
to give new impetus for future policy orientation bear testimony.
Since 1995, during the 4th UN World Conference on Women in Beijing - I was Minister at
that time - member States found that there will still be persistent inequalities between men and
women and the performance indicators measuring the status of women worldwide revealed that
despite the legislative provision, policies and programmes in place for women empowerment,
there is a gap between equality. It was found that the social relations of power between men and
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women relegated women to a subordinate position and hindered their empowerment. So, the
gender concept was introduced to look at the social relations between women and men and,
subsequently, the gender and development approach was adopted on addressing unequal gender
relations which prevent equitable development and which lock women out of full participation.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, gender equality will not only empower women to overcome
poverty but, at the same time, their children, families, the community and the country. We need
to engender our development policies. One of the fundamental measures in the Government
Programme is stated at paragraph 128 where Government will sustain its policies, programmes
and projects from a gender perspective while extending technical assistance to all Ministries for
the formulation of gender sectoral policies.
The gender equality does not imply only that men and women are the same, but it
measures that the interests of both men and women are taken on board. The National Gender
Policy Framework outlines the Mauritius vision for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
It is results oriented and expresses in broad terms how to translate that vision into reality.
I might say that there has been much progress made over the last two decades, but there is
still work to be done and to improve the situation of women in our country. The gap is still too
much. Can we imagine that, in our country, only 29.1% of females are in employment compared
to 65.1% of employed males? There is need to plug this gap, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. You will
be astonished to note that 44.1% of females are still homemakers. This potential must be tapped
for women’s participation in various sectors of the economy. The last figures from the CSO
about unemployed people reveal that 60% of the unemployed persons registered at the
employment office are women compared to 40% for males.
This Government believes strongly in women empowerment, women entrepreneurship,
and has taken bold initiatives to improve the business environment and promote this
entrepreneurial culture in our country.
There are today some 2,200 women entrepreneurs
registered at the Entrepreneur Council. My appeal is that potential women entrepreneurs should
not hesitate to contact the National Women’s Entrepreneur Council for information, counselling
and advice. They must be encouraged to join in. I also want to promote technology-intensive
for this sector so that in the long run, we have a modern entrepreneurship sector, capable of
producing new and innovative and broader range of products.
Women are not to be seen involved only in informal sectors or in sort of “hobby-type
businesses”, but they must be seen in high value-added enterprises. So, there is a lot to do as
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regards empowerment of women, education, and elimination of gender discrimination, to
enhance women’s influence in key decisions that shape their lives and those of their children in
three distinct areas, that is, their home, their workplace and also the social and political spheres.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the strength of our economy depends how strong and competent
our people are. I mean here, both men and women, as they are our only assets; we do not have
other natural resources. Our asset, c’est notre nation, la population, and they are both men and
women together.
Our society must be strong.
We can only achieve a sustainable strong
economy when our men and women are given the same opportunity to create wealth. There
must be national inclusiveness, and not exclusiveness. We need to enact policies that will
eliminate social disparity between sexes. We need to understand about the pressures which
mothers, women, have to face in trying to put work and family together. This is very important
for the survival of families, to understand what the woman, the mother has to face in putting
together work and family. It is very tough to work in a highly pressurised environment and deal
with family issues at the same time. That’s why my Ministry’s ongoing programme, which is
known as “men as partners” will be revised, reviewed and consolidated so that, at level of
families, both men and women, husbands and wives, boys and girls, can share better
responsibility at family level.
We have already launched a National Sensitisation Campaign for gender equality on 24
June 2010. It was marked with great success. We had with us the public sector, private sector,
NGOs, non-State actors, trade unions, and the civil society. We are going to bring it at the level
of the island everywhere, creating a consciousness on the need for a change in mindset, at
changing gender roles and the need to bridge the unequal power relations that remain the root
causes of inequality between men and women.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me quote here from the UNDP Policy Note 2005 which says
“When development is not engendered, it is, of course, endangered.”
So, we must be cautious, and prevent us from this danger.
My Ministry will continue to boost up women’s empowerment and gender
mainstreaming with a view to achieving gender equality and gender equity. To that end, the
Government’s Programme speaks about it, and my Ministry will soon proceed to the setting up
of a Research Centre for Gender Equality; une sorte d’observatoire sur le genre. This centre will
provide both advocacies, education, support services to both women, including adolescents and
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men, in the interest of sustaining an inclusive and equitable community, and Government’s
objective is to make the centre as a gender regional hub for the region. I have already requested
UNDP for necessary expertise, and I happy to inform the House that UNDP has been very
responsive to my Ministry’s request, and has already approved necessary technical and financial
resources.
M. le président, je ne voudrais pas terminer sans mentionner d’autres aspects du discours
qui touchent l’enfance, l’adolescence, la famille, la violence domestique et la pauvreté.
Paragraphs 132 and 133 of the Programme state that “Government will intensify its action to better protect the child”.
The child, by definition of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is 0 to 18 years.
Donc, quand je parle de l’enfant, je ne le dissocie pas avec l’adolescent, les jeunes, que ce soit
les garçons ou les filles. If we want to build a society based on the principles of human and
child’s rights, it is imperative that its legitimacy, growth and development be reckoned with
respect, dignity, equity and social justice.
Tous les jours, nous entendons parler des problèmes qui traumatisent le pays tout entier.
Face à des problèmes de société qui touchent à la délinquance, la violence conjugale, les
agressions sexuelles contre les enfants, les viols, il y a un élément humiliant. Je ne vais vous
citer, M. le président, que quatre cas ; deux pour les enfants et deux pour les adultes. Vous allez
vous-même vous rendre compte du degré d’humiliation des familles et des enfants.
Des dizaines de cas d’enfants et de jeunes en danger sont référés à mon ministère tous les
jours. Nous avons un problème infernal ; un manque de personnel atroce au sein du ministère. Je
ferai appel au ministre des finances au moment des préparatifs du budget. Nous avons un
manque de personnel, parce que les cas augmentent tous les jours.
Souvent, les adultes,
supposément responsables de ces enfants, mettent en péril leur sécurité, et commettent des
atrocités contre eux. Il y a eu, par exemple, le cas de deux fillettes de sept et neuf ans référé à
mon ministère. Pouvez-vous imaginer, M. le président, que deux sœurs qui vivaient avec leur
papa ont été abusées sexuellement, et cela à plusieurs reprises, par leur oncle paternel qui vivait
sous ce même toit avec le papa ?
La mère a repris la responsabilité des deux fillettes.
Cependant, elle vit avec un concubin qui la violente physiquement. Quel est l’avenir de ces
enfants? Quel est l’avenir de cette mère de famille?
Il y le cas d’une fillette de six ans qui a été ébouillantée par sa maman. Vous réalisez,
ébouillantée par sa maman! Quand mon ministère avait effectué une enquête, ils ont découvert
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que la sœur de l’enfant, âgée de 14 ans, est enceinte de cinq mois de son beau-père, soit le
concubin de sa maman. Quel cercle vicieux ! La mère qui, elle, est enceinte de quatre mois du
même concubin, âgé de vingt ans, nie être au courant de la grossesse de sa fille ainée. La fille,
ainsi que la maman, est enceinte de ce même concubin et ce jeune homme n’est pas à son
premier délit sexuel. Il a aussi abusé sa voisine de onze ans. C’est cela notre société
d’aujourd’hui ! Où allons-nous?
Au niveau de la violence domestique, il y a le cas rapporté d’une habitante de Triolet, une
femme battue par son époux et, lors de ses démêlées, elle a eu deux doigts fracturés et des
brûlures au dos avec un fer à repasser. Malgré son état, le mari a refusé de l’emmener à l’hôpital
et l’a séquestrée en lui proférant des menaces de mort. Tout cela se passe tous les jours.
Il y a le cas de cette autre femme de 41 ans qui est aussi poignant. Elle a rendu l’âme
après avoir été agressée aux cisailles par son concubin, un alcoolique. Elle devait mourir une
semaine plus tard à l’hôpital et, laissant derrière elle, quatre enfants.
M. le président nous avons un abri pour les enfants à Pointe aux Sables. Je suis très
peinée quand je visite cet abri : des bébés qui sont là sans parents, pas de maman, pas de papa,
des conditions difficiles, des enfants d’âges pré-maternels, primaires et secondaires. Des
problèmes de société qui se répètent tous les jours.
(Interruptions)
‘Pas cinq ans ! Non ! Excusez-moi ! Cela se répète tous les jours. Ce ne sont pas des
choses qui se sont passées pendant les cinq ans écoulés.
(Interruptions)
Je vais vous expliquer. L’honorable membre est avocat. Vous connaissez bien les cas qui
sont référés à la cour en tant qu’avocat.
The Deputy Speaker: Address the Chair, please !
(Interruptions)
Silence, please ! No cross-talking!
Mrs Bappoo: Excusez-moi, M. le président. Ce sont des cas parmi des centaines qui
traumatisent le pays chaque semaine et chaque mois. C’est la déchéance de la moralité. C’est une
insulte à la dignité de l’enfant et de la femme. Cette situation nous interpelle tous. Au-delà des
discours et de bonnes intentions, il est urgent, M. le président, qu’il y ait action, l’engagement, la
détermination et la sincérité, et un soutien honnête du gouvernement et de l’opposition et les
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médias et, bien sûr, le public, dans cette bataille. Ce n’est pas de la politique partisane pour
parler des enfants abusés ou sexuellement violés etc.
(Interruptions)
Ce n’est pas de la politique partisane et faire de la publicité sur ces cas qui traumatisent
notre pays. M. le président, permettez-moi de parler un sujet qui touche au fond la société
mauricienne. Là, j’arrive avec les adolescents, répertoriés comme étant difficiles, c’est-à-dire,
children in conflict with the law.
Plusieurs ministères, tels que le ministère de l’éducation, notre ministère, le bureau de
l’Attorney General et tout le monde se plongent sur ces législations pour voir comment pouvoir
protéger ces enfants. D’abord, il y a une perception que tous les étudiants adolescents font
l’école buissonnière ou du vagabondage hors de l’école, ce qui n’est pas vrai. Mais il existe en
même temps un problème qu’il faut accepter et analyser et prévenir toute étiquette ou
stigmatisation contre les enfants et les adolescents liés aux modes d’une société moderne. Je
viens de parler à mon collègue, le ministre responsable de la nouvelle technologie. Il faut que
tout le monde soit acquis à l’idée qu’il faut faire quelque chose pour pouvoir protéger nos
enfants.
Il y a plusieurs personnes qui sont motivées par de réels intérêts à sauvegarder notre
société. Nous sommes une société libre, mais pas permissive. Il y a un groupe d’opportunistes,
les jeunes ou les moins jeunes, qui n’ont aucune idée de la moralité et des valeurs morales d’une
société. Je peux vous dire que mes consultations avec la Brigade des Mineurs de la Force
policière qui, d’ailleurs, sera renforcée, de nombreux parents et femmes qui sont actifs dans les
centres des femmes, les ONG qui luttent contre ces dérives, me permettent de dire que la
situation est suivie de très près. Tout un élan s’est fait autour de l’urgence de mettre en place une
plateforme permanente, un Children’s Committee - un comité pour les enfants - avec les
étudiants, les collégiens. On travaille directement avec mon collègue, le ministre de l’éducation.
La National Children’s Council Act qui prévoit un Children’s Committee pour donner à ces
enfants un forum pour les éduquer, les informer qu’ils ont des droits, mais qu’ils ont aussi des
responsabilités. J’invite les parents, les enfants agressés, ceux qui subissent la maltraitance et la
pédophilie, à faire appel au service d’écoute et d’encadrement de mon ministère sur le Hotline
113. Il faut développer la présente génération à l’école de la discipline et du respect. Il faut
arriver à cela. Il faut que les enfants et les adolescents adhèrent à l’école de la responsabilité
sociale et la discipline et pour cela les parents ont aussi un rôle très important à jouer. Il faut
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aussi développer cette culture parentale. A ce sujet, je compte instituer les écoles des parents en
collaboration avec mon collègue ministre, l’honorable Dr. Bunwaree, dans tous les centres de
femmes, même au niveau des PTA’s des écoles, des associations parents et profs, des centres
sociaux, des centres communautaires, qui permettront aux parents d’avoir une connaissance et
les techniques de communication permanentes avec leurs enfants.
M. le président je dois vous dire que pour être parent, c’est comme apprendre un métier.
Si vous voulez travailler, il faut se former. La formation est primordiale. Cela s’applique aussi
pour les parents ; devenir parents, oui, mais il faut connaître ses responsabilités d’où la formation
à travers les écoles des parents dont je me suis prononcée depuis mon arrivée au ministère. Et là,
je me permets de répondre à certains doutes exprimés, ici et là, pour ce qui est de l’exploitation
sexuelle des adolescents. Le doute alternera avec mes convictions profondes. Je sais avec
certitude, par exemple, que le gouvernement viendra sous peu renforcer l’arsenal légal contre ce
nouveau fléau. On passera à l’action. La Brigade des Mineurs sera renforcée. On travaille déjà en
étroite collaboration avec les ONG.
Un Emergency Team, composé d’officiels de mon ministère, des ONG et des membres de
la société civile, a été mis sur pied pour mieux encadrer les victimes des cas de maltraitance ou
d’abus sexuel en cas d’urgence. Même dans le cas des deux enfants suite à l’incendie à Belle
Mare hier, très tôt le matin, l’Emergency Team du ministère était présent à Belle Mare. Je
veillerai à la formation du personnel qui fait partie de cette équipe car il y a nécessité de se
mettre continuellement en question et de voir si elle dispose des atouts et des outils à
appréhender les nouveaux enjeux liés à la protection des enfants. M. le président, c’est là que le
gouvernement travaille sur un Consolidated Children’s Bill qui soit conforme avec les provisions
de la Convention des Nations Unies sur les Droits de L’enfant.
Pour terminer, M. le président, en ce qui concerne le Family Welfare, this is another
main concern of my Ministry. Of course, Government will sustain its policies for the promotion
of the family welfare and the protection from domestic violence with the implementation of its
National Plan of Action. The Domestic Violence Act was amended in 2007, but not yet
proclaimed.
M. le président, je lance un appel à mon collègue, l’honorable Attorney General, à ce que
cette loi soit promulguée au plus vite car le nombre de cas de violences domestiques ne cesse
d’accroître et je tiens à faire savoir à la Chambre qu’il existe, à travers les six Family Support
Bureau (FSB) du pays, un service d’écoute, de counselling et de support psychologique en
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rappelant sur le hotline 139 pour des cas de violences domestiques et le hotline 119 pour les
problèmes familiaux au Family Support Bureau de Bel Village.
Never before has such a plan been set up and such a societal problem been addressed.
My Ministry is already implementing the National Strategic Planning and Capacity Building
Programme to combat domestic violence.
I do believe that the formulation of a Victim
Empowerment and Abuser Rehabilitation Policy, as it is being worked out by the Ministry, will
give sound results. My Ministry is already implementing a project called ‘Men as Partners’, but
which will be reviewed and consolidated for the participation of men in all family affairs.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the road to combat societal problems is a relentless struggle. To
meet the problems of child pregnancy, child birth by mothers below the age of 15, monoparental
families, the Ministry is finalising the study on teenage pregnancy. This study will provide an
in-depth analysis of the prevalence of teenage pregnancy, give a comprehensive outlook on the
possible causes and consequences of early teenage pregnancy and enable Government and
stakeholders, including NGOs and religious bodies, to adopt a holistic approach to support
teenage mothers and pregnant teenagers and also reduce teenage pregnancy. This report will, of
course, examine the well-being of the future generation.
One of the fundamental measures is the provision for better achieving women’s
empowerment in all sectors of development. I will come up with a new National Women’s
Council Bill with the various amendments which are being worked out. We will be coming up
with the construction of a new Women Empowerment Centre at Rivière du Poste; a Women
Centre at Bel Ombre and a new Women Centre at Vacoas. The one which already exists, France
Boyer de la Giroday Women Centre, has already been pulled down because of its old structure
and a new building will be constructed. The construction of a Women Empowerment Centre at
Plaine Verte is also in the pipeline.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, never before has such a scale of empowerment towards women
been targeted. This is the outcome of the result of Government’s vision and policy.
As regards to poverty, Government is fully conscious that some people are living in poor
condition. At paragraph 67, it is said that –
“Government pledges to redouble its efforts to combat poverty (...)”.
We will not forget that when we speak about poverty, we have the problem of
feminisation of poverty which we have to tackle. On that record, I fully welcome the setting-up
of the new Ministry that is, the Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, to
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enhance the quality of life of these vulnerable groups. We have already, both Ministries,
embarked on some joint projects together to meet the needs of these poor families. Opportunities
will be given to them to move out of the poverty trap and measures will be taken to solve the
problems linked to women and children empowerment, including la féminisation de la pauvreté
et la protection de la petite enfance.
To end, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would say that the Government Programme represents
a road map which will take the country to its next level of socio-economic development. So, we
have to adhere to it. We need to go for implementation. We need to monitor, evaluate and give
results. In the elaboration of the Programme, we have certainly been guided by the three key
words of l’Alliance de l’Avenir, that is, l’égalité, l’unité et la modernité. We will have to build
on the solid foundation established.
The standard of living, the quality of life, the social
environment and the democratic fabric have always been a reference in this part of the world as
well as globally. We are bent to treading on the same path.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we mean what we say and we say what we mean. So, we will
succeed, and I thank you for your attention.
(6.14 p.m.)
Mr P. Jhugroo (First Member for Mahebourg & Plaine Magnien): M. le président,
laissez-moi vous féliciter, ainsi que le Speaker¸ pour votre élection à la présidence de
l’Assemblée Nationale. Laissez-moi aussi féliciter le Président de la République qui a rendu
public le programme du gouvernement de l’Alliance de l’Avenir lors du discours-programme
prononcé le mardi 08 juin dernier. Mon appréciation va aussi à tous les députés responsables qui
étaient présents ce jour-là.
M. le président, les amis de l’autre côté de la Chambre pensent que ‘Mahen ene vendeur’;
Mahen n’est jamais un vendeur et ‘zamin li pas pou vendé’. Pendant cinq ans - quand j’étais
dans l’opposition - j’ai fait mon travail en tant que député de l’opposition et j’ai assumé ma
responsabilité pleinement en tant que député de l’opposition. Aujourd’hui, le MSM est dans le
gouvernement, j’assume ma responsabilité pour défendre ce gouvernement. Le Premier ministre,
mon leader et le gouvernement peuvent compter sur Mahen Jhugroo pour les défendre pendant
les cinq ans à venir. Mahen pas ene vendeur et la famille Jhugroo zamin ti ene vendeur !
Before I proceed, allow me, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, to welcome all newly elected
Members.
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M. le président, c’est avec beaucoup d’espoir et de fierté que ce gouvernement – fort du
soutien indiscutable obtenu aux dernières élections – abordera l’avenir avec sérénité,
détermination et confiance. Ce peuple averti et intelligent s’est donné à fond pour reconduire
l’équipe PTR/PMSD/MSM au pouvoir. Je profite de cette occasion pour remercier le Premier
ministre, l’honorable Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, ainsi que mon leader, le vice-Premier
ministre et ministre des finances, l’honorable Pravind Jugnauth, pour leur confiance placée en
moi, en me nommant PPS pour s’occuper des circonscriptions numéros 12 et 14.
Je dois aussi remercier profondément l’électorat de la circonscription No. 4 pour la
confiance placée en moi durant les cinq dernières années. Je tiens à souligner, qu’à la requête de
mon leader, l’honorable Pravind Jugnauth, je n’ai pas hésité de me porter candidat dans la
circonscription de Mahebourg/Plaine Magnien où j’ai été élu avec mes deux colistiers,
l’honorable Dr. Vasant Bunwaree et mon ami, l’honorable Thierry Henry.
Je remercie
infiniment l’électorat de cette circonscription qui a placé leur confiance en cette équipe. Comme
promis, le jour de la proclamation des résultats, je réitère ma détermination d’être le député de
tous les habitants de cette circonscription indistinctement de leur sensibilité politique et nul
besoin de dire que je suis déjà un député de proximité.
M. le président, lors de la campagne électorale, le Leader de l’opposition, dans un
meeting, avait déclaré que l’électorat du numéro 12 allait me jeter dans la rade de Mahebourg, en
se demandant : ‘Eski li kon nazé meme ça ?’
Aujourd’hui, M. le président, ce sont ses trois candidats qui ont été emportés par la lame
de fond ‘Bleu-Blanc-Rouge’. Il en est de même pour ces autres aspirants – ramassis - premier
ministres, tels que :‘Gro Fey, Pagla Mamou, Razwar et Pak Pak! Kot zot!’
M. le président, on reconnaît que le Premier ministre est non seulement un rassembleur,
mais aussi quelqu’un qui est à l’écoute de toutes les bonnes suggestions. I wish to recall here
that when my party, the MSM, was in the Opposition, we were not only criticising the
Government, but we also came with concrete and good propositions. We wish to thank the hon.
Prime Minister who entertained our suggestions and included them in the Government
Programme 2010-2015, like the abolition of the NRPT, the removal of tax on interest on savings,
the phasing out of the National Pay Council and the reinstatement of the tripartite mechanism,
the transformation of Mauritius into a duty-free island and the reconsideration of the Métro
Léger Project.
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Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are all aware that six months preceding the dissolution of the
National Assembly, we have witnessed very sweet and comique PNQs, spécialement faites pour
séduire le Premier ministre. And the nation knew very well the aim of the Leader of the MMM.
The hon. Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, as a wise Prime Minister, took the right decision and at
the right time, pour ne pas revivre l’histoire de la tortue et du scorpion. Comme on le dit, le
MMM est un parti foncièrement de l’opposition, qui a débuté dans l’opposition, grandit dans
l’opposition et qui sera toujours durable que dans l’opposition.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me now come to the Government Programme.
The
consolidation of the law and order is still one of the top priorities of this Government. In order to
tackle crimes, rape, abuses and aggression, and to deal with offenders, some 5,000 Police
Officers will be recruited during this present mandate and the installation of CCTV cameras will
be extended to other high risk areas. We all know the positive results that the CCTV cameras are
giving in the Flic en Flac and Quatre Bornes regions. This Government is also envisaging to
review and to reinforce the existing law in view of making penalties tougher.
The legal
framework will be reviewed to combat criminality in general.
This Government will come with a new Police Act and Police procedures and Criminal
Evidence Act whereas the present Bail Act will be reviewed and the wearing of electronic
bracelet on suspects en liberté conditionelle will be introduced. En passant, I would like to seize
this opportunity to put on record, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the effectiveness and quickness of the
Police Force in recapturing the escaped detainees from the Grand River North West Prison.
Furthermore, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Police Force on the whole will bear major reforms and
will result in its shifting from a Force to a Service, as pointed out in the National Policing
Strategic Framework.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, an integrated strategic plan for sports will be prepared soon in
collaboration with all stakeholders. The Sports Act will be amended to address weaknesses in
the existing legal framework. New sport complexes will be built in different parts of the island.
The construction of a new football stadium of international standard in the South of the island
will be most welcomed.
In view to encourage the development of sports culture, this
Government will come forward with a policy to boost the sports sector for the maximum
utilisation of all sports infrastructures in the country. Our sports have always been a great source
of satisfaction and pride, and this Government will focus on reinforcing all opportunities for our
athletes to shine in competition, be it at regional, African and world level.
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Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, inhabitants of my Constituency, namely those living in Trois
Boutiques and Mare Tabac, are at present facing serious problems of flooding during heavy
rains. While implementing the derocking project, the existing drains were destroyed thus causing
overflow from the incoming water, leur faisant subir des problèmes énormes. Being conscious
of these problems, I shall ensure with the help of my colleague, the hon. Minister Anil Bachoo,
and my two elected friends, that appropriate actions would be taken before the coming raining
seasons and appeal to Government to move very quickly. This will go in the preventive aspect
and I am sure nobody would like to experience potential repeats of damages after torrential rains
in recent past at Mon Goût.
I note in the Government Programme, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that there is mention of a
port in Mahebourg. This project is a long and outstanding one. It will expand the Freeport
activities and trans-shipment. The Government will pursue with the modernisation of the Port,
including cargo handling and storage facilities. Government will take necessary measures to
improve logistics, information flows and customs processing. I think, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it
is high time that we seriously consider delocalising some of the activities from Port Louis to
Mahebourg and part of the traffic congestions to and from the capital will be partly relieved.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a representative Member of Constituency No. 12, it is an
honour and privilege that this Government is investing massively in the expansion and
modernisation of the SSR International Airport. I am sure that this will transform our present
airport into a modern and sophisticated one in the region. It is worth mentioning that a second
runway will be constructed and will be used only for landing of aircrafts. This project, Mr
Deputy Speaker, Sir, will definitely create thousands of new jobs, and I hope that job seekers
living in the vicinity will be given due consideration for employment and priority as mentioned
by my friend, hon. Dr. Bunwaree.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think it is time that Mauritius starts to concentrate beyond the
seafood hub. Mauritius has a sea territory of 2,000,000 km². Coming from a pharmaceutical
background, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am convinced that new efforts should be deployed to
make Mauritius a pharmaceutical hub for Africa where there is a growing demand for generic
drugs.
New technologies will enable the manufacture of high value added pharmaceutical
products from sponges found in the sea and fish by-products. The growing of pearls should also
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be envisaged accordingly. Eventually, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, a whole new array of industries
can grow out of new sources. Thousands of jobs can then be created.
In regard to the local authorities, it is high time that new income generating activities be
thought of. For example, in the context of Maurice Ile durable, the municipalities and district
councils can come with strategies to sell the enormous amount of waste for the manufacture of
compost and eventual energy and recycling concerns being contemplated.
M. le Président, dans notre souci d’alléger le fardeau social de ceux considérés
économiquement faibles, ce gouvernement procèdera à la livraison de 550 maisons d’ici fin
février 2011 et aussi construira 10,000 logements sur les 1,000 arpents obtenus dans le cadre de
l’accord avec la MSPA.
M. le Président, je salue l’initiative de notre Premier Ministre, le Dr. Navinchandra
Ramgoolam, de créer un ministère full-fledged pour l’intégration sociale afin d’améliorer la
qualité de vie des gens vulnérables et la lutte contre l’exclusion. Nous savons qu’il existe 229
poches de pauvreté absolue. Des actions énergiques doivent être entreprises pour les loger, les
éduquer, les former et aussi élaborer un plan en leur faveur.
M. le Président, l’ile Maurice ayant toujours eu une vocation agricole, il est essentiel de
poursuivre une politique agricole agressive en vue de réduire nos importations agro-alimentaires
qui bouffent une bonne partie de notre budget et, en même temps, fragilisent notre économie.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in relation to the tourism sector, I know that my very good
friend, the hon. Minister of Tourism, hon. Nando Bodha, is working with new strategies to
attract more tourists from the East like India and China. Air connections should rapidly be
established with several cities in China. Emphasis should also be put to keep the European
tourists to visit us, as they represent our bigger market share. The hotels industry should reinvent
its business model and cater for eventual growing numbers of visitors from India. The
new
tourism economy developing worldwide demands and warrants a new mindset. We just have to
look and adapt at what the Emirates have been doing with the tourism industry in the past 15
years.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the new Water Resource Bill to be presented in this august
Assembly, due care attention will be given to reduce the water leakage in our distribution
network. Two new barriers at Bagatelle and Rivière des Anguilles and also a new water
treatment at Pailles will be constructed. Les travaux entrepris par le Waste Water Authority pour
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l’implantation du système de tout-à-l’égout à travers le pays continuera pendant ce présent
mandat.
Et, aujourd’hui, M. le président, en ma qualité de patriote, je réitère mon attachement au
sens de discipline et de dur labeur de tout un chacun pour faire progresser notre pays. Soyez
assuré, M. le président, que je vais travailler sans relâche pour atteindre les objectifs que nous
nous sommes fixés ainsi que pour le bien-être des habitants de ma circonscription.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, without aiming at frustrating the Opposition, we all know that
the last election was free and fair, as pointed out by the favourable report submitted by the
international election observers. But the episode of Mr Hossen Atchia and hon. Reza Uteem, the
two candidates of the MMM in Constituency No. 2, confirms the saying of hon. Ganoo that the
elections were not fair in only that constituency.
Before resuming my seat, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am sure that this Government, under
the staunch leadership of the hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and with hon.
Pravind Jugnauth, as vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, will drive Mauritius towards
new heights in the field of social economic development. Je vous rappelle que notre
gouvernement a toujours eu les bonnes intentions et que seuls les actes seront les juges de nos
bonnes intentions.
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.
(6.37 p.m.)
Dr. S. Boolell (Second Member for Curepipe & Midlands): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir,
first of all, I would like to present my congratulations to you for being chosen unanimously as
Deputy Speaker, and also my congratulations go to the incumbent Speaker, Mr Purryag, for the
way the debate has been conducted so far in – to quote the words used in the speech from the
President - a spirit of equity.
As a newcomer to this House, I wish to thank the Clerk of the National Assembly and the
staff for having made us feel welcome.
I must thank, first of all, my Constituency No. 17, Curepipe/Midlands, for having been
elected. I also came to this Assembly thinking that I would find a theatre of hope, a theatre of
dreams, and it is quite unfortunate that, in the course of debates, I feel that many MPs need to be
reminded that the elections are over, that there is some work to be done and that our priority
remains the poor people of this country. In a spirit of poverty alleviation, poverty is not always
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being the absence of riches or richness. Actually somebody once said: “Poverty is like heat. You
cannot feel it, you cannot touch it. You can only go through it.”
Having gone through the election, all of us, on both sides of the House, have known the
difficulties, the hard times, all those hours we spent fighting each other, but I feel that there is
absolutely no point gargling about recriminations - past and present – because, at the end of the
day, you end up with mouth ulcers. These are my first impressions of what is an august
Assembly,
I remember, during the time I was doing my HSC, when we ran out of teachers at the
college, we were asked to be present at the assembly to learn about General Paper. Hon. Kee
Chong Li Kwong Wing was my contemporary and we came to learn a lot from this assembly.
We learned the art of debating. We learned the art of looking forward. Maybe the insults of the
day were quite almost the same, less toxic, but quite pertinent. It is my intention on the occasion
of this maiden speech to restrict myself to the health sector, feeling - using the words free and
fair, I think elections being free and fair are not free and fair - that the quality of treatment in our
hospitals has to be free and fair. What we actually have in our hospitals right now is that, if you
don’t know someone, you don’t go to the hospitals. The Minister has a lot of good intentions, but
then the Assembly is a museum of good intentions. If good intentions could cure this country, we
would all be very happy. What we expect is value for the treatment invested in the hospitals.
The quality of the service in the hospitals has to be bridging the gap between the private
sector and the public sector, not building bridges out of the public sector into the private sector.
Many doctors, the majority of doctors, are hard-working professionals as is the nursing staff, but
you do have a certain amount of doctors who seem to consider the hospitals as being catchment
areas for private practice with patients having, at least, to pay one visit privately to be entitled to
public treatment freely. These are the bare facts of life in our hospitals and we need to have
private practice regulations.
I am quite agreeable if they could go for what is in the Government Programme, that is,
state-of-the-art paediatric hospital, state-of-the art women’s hospital, but we need to have the art
to improve the state of what we already have. There is no point trying to build a geriatric hospital
when you have to take medicine to the people rather than take people to medicine. A geriatric
hospital, while desirable, while advisable, while maybe affordable - I do not hold the purse
strings of finance - will it answer to it? I would have hoped that the Minister straightaway orders
all hospitals to at least clear two wards for geriatric population of this country in every single
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hospital. Geriatric patients should not be ferried from the far north or far south to a centralised
geriatric centre where they will be left almost unattended, because we have a culture of visiting
patients, a culture of attending to patients, a culture of bringing food to patients, and the amount
of food we bring to patients, takes me to another line of thought, when I start asking myself: how
much does Government spend on food in the hospitals?
The amount of wastage at the level of food in the hospitals is tremendous and we also
need to review the specialist care. Being seen by specialists does not mean you are being seen by
God. Certainly not! We need to review the quality of specialist care both in the private sector and
in the public sector and then to be able to control all that. I would be most grateful if we have had
less political appointees, if we could have a Healthcare Commission, an independent Care
Commission that would be able to ensure that we have a quality control. Right now, quality
control in our hospitals, whether we like it or not, is by the independent radios - ‘explik ou cas’
or ‘explik cas ou camarade’. We need to have all these independent commissions on the health
care system to be able to review the standard of care in the private sector. I mean most MPs are
concerned with the ‘Shok Samachar’ road death list that comes out every morning because we
have to see whether anybody is dying in our Constituency as we have to attend funerals. This
seems to be the order of the day in many Constituencies even though some people might not
agree, but we need to review the death in the hospitals - private and public sectors - and have, at
least, a death conference to ensure maximum efficiency. Did the person who died could avoid
dying? Was the right treatment given?
Then we have to go forward, we have the famous Medical Council - I think the Minister
mentioned in the course of her intervention that it was a bulldog sans dents. I mean I love
bulldogs. They are lovely dogs. They scare people. They look ugly and this is the Medical
Council. It looks ugly, scares people, but is lovely at heart. But the Medical Council is not a
bulldog sans dents. It is a bulldog wearing dentures, which dentures are in the custody of the
Ministry of Health which chooses to fit it with the dentures to bite as and when the Ministry
requires. I find there is a note in the Government Programme to the effect that the terms of
reference of the Medical Council Act will be reviewed towards the certification of specialists
only. I see no other change. We pride ourselves in having one of the rare Medical Councils
which can take action only against doctors of the private sector and the doctors in the public
sector are not answerable to the Medical Council. There is basically almost no discipline at this
level and if the Minister is keen in reviewing on changing, if the Government is keen on
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changing the terms of reference of the Medical Council, we, on this side of the House, have no
intention to object to this kind of change, provided the patient improves. We need to have a
certain degree of discipline in the profession for too often people are becoming specialists by
long-distance learning and are employed in the private sector. It’s absolutely amazing. I almost
regret my career as a forensic pathologist. Life was good, my overtime was excellent.
We also see there is going to be a change in advising on the healthy lifestyles of this
country and the Minister even earlier intervened on scabies – la gale – in the Black River District
and ensured that the water supply was improved. Do we now have to rely on having la gale to
have an improvement in our water supply in this country? I am sorry, but this is the type of
service we have been having from the CWA almost every day. Almost at every sitting we have
MPs complaining about the lack of water supply in their Constituencies. We should aim, Mr
Deputy Speaker, Sir, towards eliminating wastage in the health sector at all levels - food, drugs.
We only have to walk in the hospitals of Mauritius, outside the Government pharmacies and we
will see the amount of pills that are thrown, because the person came for some other reasons and
the pills are just wasted. “Ça pas travay” and they just throw the pills and they go away. The
level of wastage is incredible and we are trying to convert Mauritius into a medical hub. To use a
term dear to the Minister, staggering the patients, but in Mauritius we keep having the stars
staggering in to have their hair transplants. This is almost the only form of medical hub we are
having. Again, there is quite a good intention - I am not objecting to good intentions - but I am
just trying to explain whether they can be realised.
As to converting regional hospitals into teaching units, I would like to see whether we
can do that, whether we should not consolidate. I have my fellow MPs from Rodrigues and they
should be the ones to be able to tell about the quality of the medical service in Rodrigues, in
Agalega before we start improving and dreaming too much over here. We should learn, Mr
Speaker, Sir, to walk before we run. We should, first of all, think about what are the priority
areas of medicine. If I were to ask the Minister of Youth and Sports what are his priorities, he
would tell me sports medicine. I am sure he has a lack of sports medical officers. We have a lack
of doctors even in the prisons. Even a prison doctor should be a kind of psychologist to be able to
tackle the problems at the very root. Do we have the statistics, before we start dreaming, of how
many people actually are studying medicine outside Mauritius or in Mauritius? We have now
doctors made in Ukraine, made in China, made in Mauritius, and the variety of the quality. I am
not going to comment on medical schools. It would be presumptuous on my part to comment on
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the quality, but can we standardise? Should we not instead create a medical hub of our own
doctors, provided for the day when we are in excess of the product to be able to export them to
those areas of Africa where they might be recognised and they might work. We have an excellent
nursing profession, but a lack of nurses in all fields. We seem to have inherited a system, we are
not a pure Mauritian system, we have to be adapted. We have inherited a kind of a National
Health Service from the colonial days which has not adjusted itself to the time, to the years, to
the age, to the year that we are living.
I read again in the programme that we are going to invest in machines - fair deuce! I fully
agree, but before investing in machines, we should invest in maintenance. Take a look around
any of the hospitals and see all the apparatus which are broken down! There is a lack of
maintenance; there are some companies who have flogged their products on our market. I even
helped the Ministry of Health on one occasion. I was in Japan and tried to locate the company
which had sold the apparatus. The company had literally disappeared, as had its website. We
have to be very careful.
We have to look at the pharmaceutical products in this country. I am glad the preceding
orator talked about all the pharmaceutical products that could come from the sea. Believe me,
we have a lot of pharmaceutical products which could go into the sea, which are substandard!
We have to return them to the sea, from where they should come from eventually. We have
substandard drugs. We should maintain the quality of the drugs. This is not, I hope, a political
speech. This is a maiden speech in the interest of the suffering public, of the electors; those
people who come to us almost every time, with a major health problem. I have yet to talk about
dental care. I hope that no one over here has a toothache by night. There is no dental service
available by night in this country, unless the dentist happens to be your relative. So, we need
to…
(Interruptions)
Somebody is mentioning Dr. Sorefan. He is a good Member. This is why, maybe, he was taken
on board.
(Interruptions)
I think it is about enough from me on the medical scene to fill your stomach, prior to the football
match later.
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(Interruptions)
Je pense que même le ministre des administrations régionales m’a compris, parce qu’il a
dit ‘enfin’ ; il a faim. C’est bien de se faire comprendre des fois. Je vais continuer en français ;
je serai mieux compris à l’avenir.
Je voudrais bien terminer en parlant de ma circonscription No. 17, Curepipe/Midlands.
L’honorable Dr. Bunwaree est un francophone, il comprendra lui aussi. Je crois que je vais
terminer avec la circonscription No. 17, ville lumière, qui n’a plus trop de lumière, ville très
humide qui a besoin d’infrastructures sportives. C’est une ville où la nuit arrive très vite, où il
faut beaucoup de lumière pour que les jeunes puissent pratiquer leurs jeux. C’est une ville en état
d’abandon. J’ai toujours dit qu’au lieu d’éliminer cette horreur qu’était le marché de Curepipe, le
marché a été réparé sans toilettes ; il faut être constipé pour aller au marché, généralement. Je
crois qu’on est en train de contempler un food court au-dessus du marché. Il y a un élevage de
rats dans la cour de la municipalité, et des rats qui apprennent à nager dans le Lake Point.
(Interruptions)
Mais, s’il aime les animaux ! On a le droit de nourrir des rats!
C’est une ville qui a besoin d’attention, et je souhaite que les ministres responsables nous
aident, surtout dans une ville où il y a environ douze cités ouvrières, où il y a des rues dont les
noms d’éminentes personnalités sont en train de garnir les plaques ; les noms dans cette ville ont
besoin d’aide. Je crois que c’était : ‘Maurice, c’est un plaisir’. Je me demande si cela pourrait
s’appliquer à Curepipe par un jour de pluie d’hiver.
M. le président, je vous remercie.
Mr Khamajeet: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I move for the adjournment of the debate.
Ms Deerpalsing rose and seconded.
Question put and agreed to.
Debate adjourned accordingly.
ADJOURNMENT
The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities (Dr. R.
Beebeejaun): Sir, I beg to move that this Assembly do now adjourn to Tuesday 13 July 2010 at
11.30 a.m.
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Jugnauth) rose and seconded.
The Deputy Speaker: The House stands adjourned.
At 6.54 p.m. the Assembly was, on its rising, adjourned to Tuesday 13 July 2010 at 11.30
a.m.
WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
DRIVING LICENCE – ISSUE
(No. 1A/1) Dr. S. Boolell (Second Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the Prime
persons suffering from temporary and permanent disabilities, he will, for the benefit of the
House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, information as to whether there is any special
condition attached to the issue of a driving licence.
Reply: I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that applications for driving
licences are processed by the Licensing Officers of the Traffic Branch. The Licensing Officer
may request any person suffering from a temporary or permanent disability who applies for a
driving licence to be first medically examined by a Police Medical Officer. The latter may refer
the person to a Government Medical Specialist if the need arises. Thereafter, the Licensing
Officer determines the type or class of vehicle, if any, that the applicant may be authorised to
drive. After passing the necessary driving tests, the applicant is granted a driving licence. In
other instances depending on the degree of the disability, the Police may vary the conditions for
the issue of a licence. The specific conditions that are normally applied are –
(a) the driver will only drive the vehicle in which he passed his driving test;
(b) if the applicant drives a car with automatic gear transmission or an adapted car, the
registration number of the car as well as other conditions imposed by Police Medical
Officer are typed on his driving licence, and
(c) the driving licence is renewed on a case to case basis upon the submission of a
medical certificate by a Government Medical Officer and examination by the Police
Medical Officer.
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VEHICLES REGISTRATION PLATES – TENDER
(No. 1B/261) Mrs J. Radegonde (Fourth Member for Savanne & Black River) asked
the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping
whether, in regard to the project for the replacement of existing vehicles registration plates by
yellow ones, he will state –
(a) if any tender has been launched for the supply thereof, indicating the date, and
(b) if it has been awarded and, if so, the name of the successful bidder and details of the
contract.
Reply: I am informed by the National Transport Authority that, to date, no tender has
been launched for the supply of the replacement of the existing vehicles registration plates by
yellow ones.
PERSONS (DISABLED) – WHEELCHAIRS – ALLOCATION
(No. 1B/262) Mrs J. Radegonde (Fourth Member for Savanne & Black River) asked
the Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions whether she will
state the number of disabled persons who have applied for the allocation of wheelchairs since
last year and who are still on the waiting list and say (a) when the last order for wheelchairs was made;
(b) the number received to date, and
(c) whether any tender has been launched for the supply thereof and, if so, when.
Reply: I wish to inform the House that 2,705 persons have applied for a wheelchair at my
Ministry from January 2009 to date. 2,184 of these persons have already been provided with a
wheelchair and the remaining 521 persons are now on the waiting list.
With regard to parts (a) and (b) of the question, the last order for wheelchairs was placed
on 5 October 2009 for 875 wheelchairs (775 adult and 100 junior) and the wheelchairs were
received on 24 December 2009.
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As for part (c) of the question, new tenders were launched on 26 February 2010 for 2000
wheelchairs (1700 adults and 300 Junior).
The consignment was due for delivery on 18 June 2010, but due to some shipment
problem it will arrive around mid July 2010. This will enable my Ministry to meet all the
requests till December 2010.
PORT LOUIS MUNICIPAL THEATRE - RENOVATION WORKS
(No. 1B/263) Mr R. Issack (Fourth Member for Stanley & Rose Hill) asked the
Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the Port Louis Municipal
Theatre, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Municipal Council of Port Louis,
(a)
if the renovation works thereof have started and, if not, why not, and
(b)
the expected date of its re-opening.
Reply: With regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed that renovation works to the
Port Louis Municipal Theatre have not started due to the fact that the consultants have not yet
been selected by the Central Procurement Board.
I wish to inform the House that bids for Consultancy Services for preparation of bidding
documents for the project were launched in February 2010 by the Central Procurement Board
and the closing date was 25 May 2010. A Bid Evaluation exercise of the Consultancy is
presently being carried out by the Central Procurement Board. The renovation works are
estimated to cost around Rs350 m. and a matching grant of Rs50 m. is already available to start
the project. The remaining sum requested to undertake the project is actively being looked into
with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
As far as part (b) of the question is concerned, it is difficult at this stage to indicate when
the Theatre will be re-opened to the public.
INDUSTRIAL LEASE AGREEMENT
(No. 1B/264) Mr E. Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the
Minister of Housing and Lands whether, in regard to the State Lands, he will state if Article 18
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of the Industrial Lease Agreement for the lease thereof has been amended and, if so, why and, if
not, whether Government intends to amend it.
Reply: Initially Article 18 provided for an Industrial Site Lease to be automatically
cancelled “de plein droit” in case of change in ownership or shareholding structure of a company
which may impact on the control of the company.
While this provision served its purpose in discouraging developers from speculation over
State lands, it has also acted as a hindrance for genuine promoters wishing to bring substantial
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for implementation of projects. In many cases injection of FDI
from renowned companies would de facto necessitate a change in the shareholding structure and
control of the beneficiary company.
In this context, it has been decided to amend Article 18 to provide for the Industrial Site
lessees to seek approval for any change in ultimate beneficial ownership or any change in
beneficial ownership or shareholding, that may impact on the control or management, at least 15
days before such change.
The application is then scrutinised by a Technical Committee comprising, inter alia,
representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office, of the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Development and of my Ministry.
In addition, following representations made by various stakeholders, including
Associations des Hôteliers et Restaurateurs – Ile Maurice (AHRIM), in March 2010,
Government decided that proposals for cases of industrial site leases for which the projects have
already been developed and have been operational for at least one year, will be allowed to
change the shareholding structure in the normal course of business.
The above conditions are also included in letters of reservation and Letters of Intent, so
that lessees do not have recourse to a change in shareholding structure prior to the signature of
the Lease Agreement.
BALACLAVA - KOHINOOR INVESTMENT HOLDINGS LTD – LAND LEASE
(No. 1B/265) Mr E. Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the
Minister of Housing and Lands whether, in regard to State Lands in Balaclava, he will state if
Kohinoor Investment Holdings Ltd has been granted a lease of a plot of land thereat and, if so,
state –
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(a) when the reservation letter was granted;
(b) the Letter of Intent was issued;
(c) the extent thereof, indicating the annual rental value;
(d) the terms and conditions, indicating the purpose of the lease;
(e) the amount of taxes and levy paid to Government;
(f) the nature of the project, and
(g) if the lease has been transferred.
Reply: I am informed that, following a statement made to the Police last year by the hon.
Member himself, the Police has been conducting an enquiry on a number of leases allocated on
State land including the lease of State land at Balaclava to Kohinoor Investment Holdings Ltd.
As the Police enquiry is on, it would neither be in order nor proper to make any further
statement on this matter at this stage.
SUGARCANE FIELDS – BURNING
(No. 1A/2) Mr R. Bhagwan (First Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked
the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security whether, in regard to the burning of sugarcane
fields during the crop season, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Mauritius
Sugar Producers Association, information as to –
(a)
whether a Protocol in relation thereto has been discussed and agreed to, and
(b)
if it is proposed to stop the practice in line with the Maurice Ile Durable project.
Reply: I am informed by the Mauritius Sugar Authority that the Mauritius Sugar
Producers Association has an established code of procedures for burning of sugarcane during the
crop season. All sugar estates have adopted the code which determines the timing and site of
burning, the preventive measures and the required notifications and authorisation.
As regards part (b) of the question, this issue was raised at Government level and
consultations are ongoing at the level of my Ministry with the Mauritius Sugar Authority, the
Mauritius Sugar Producers Association, the Farmers Service Corporation, the Mauritius Sugar
Industry Research Institute, the Cane Planters and Millers Arbitration and Control Board and the
Police.
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MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS – STAFF – OVERSEAS MISSION
(No. 1A/3) Mr F. Quirin (Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked the
Minister of Youth and Sports whether he will give a list of the staff of his Ministry who have
proceeded on overseas mission since 01 January 2009 to date, indicating in each case the –
(a)
purpose;
(b)
duration, and
(c)
the per diem allowances.
Reply: The information relating to Parliamentary Question No. 1A/3 is being compiled
and will be tabled in the National Assembly shortly.
GOODS (FROZEN) – NET QUANTITY
(No. 1A/4) Mr K. Li Kwong Wing (Second Member for Beau Bassin & Petite
Rivière) asked the Minister of Business, Enterprise, Cooperatives and Consumer Protection
whether, in regard to packed frozen foods, he will state the measures being taken to prevent
overweight of the ice content therein, indicating if there are any regulations to control any
abusive practice in relation thereto and, if not, the measures he proposes to take.
Reply: The Legal Metrology (Pre-Packed Commodities) of 2006 Regulations provide for
the control of pre-packed goods as regards their labelling and accuracy of net quantities. Net
quantity as defined in the Regulation refers to the quantity of pre-packed commodity contained
in the package exclusive of the package or any material packed with such package. Ice content
of frozen goods is not taken into account in the net quantity of the product as controlled by the
Legal Metrology (Pre-packed Commodities) Regulations. Inspections and verifications are
carried out by officers of Legal Metrology Services to look into net quantity of frozen foods and
ensure that there are no abusive practices.
M1 ROAD - POINTE AUX SABLES & PETITE RIVIÈRE – BRIDGE
120
(No. 1A/5) Mr K. Li Kwong Wing (Second Member for Beau Bassin & Petite
Rivière) asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport
and Shipping whether, in regard to traffic flow to and from Port-Louis, he will, for the benefit of
the House, obtain from the Road Development Authority, information as to, if consideration will
be given for the construction of a flyover or an interchange at the junctions of the M1 Road and (a) the road leading to Pointe aux Sables, and
(b) the road leading to Petite Rivière.
Reply: I am informed by the Road Development Authority that instead of a flyover or an
interchange at the junction of A1 and the roads, leading to Pointe aux Sables and Petite Rivière,
it is proposed to construct a major bridge between Belle Etoile and Soreze. This project forms
part of the Road Decongestion Programme, and is expected to alleviate traffic congestion in the
area.
CITÉ MARTIAL MARKET FAIR - TRAFFIC CONGESTION
(No. 1A/6) Mr A. Ameer Meea (First Member for Port Louis Maritime & Port Louis
East) asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport
and Shipping whether he will state if he is aware of the traffic congestion occurring at the Cité
Martial Market Fair at Military Road, Port Louis and along roads in the vicinity during fairs and,
if so, will he state the remedial measures that will be taken.
Reply: The TMRSU has informed that the Cité Martial Market Fair was constructed with
a parking space for a number of vehicles. However, the demand for stalls exceeded the number
for which provision was made and the Municipal Council of Port Louis authorised vendors to
use the parking space to run their business. Hence, vehicles are being parked on the street which
is, indeed, hindering the smooth flow of traffic.
Nonetheless, the TRMSU has put in place a number of traffic measures to combat the
traffic congestion problem. These are (i) parking and standing of vehicles are prohibited on both sides of the Military road, as
from its junction with Sir Abdool Mohamed Street;
(ii) delivery is allowed only a stretch of road of about 170m in front of the Market Fair,
and
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(iii)Kleber and Indian Streets, adjacent to the Market Fair have been converted into one
way roads to ensure a smoother traffic flow.
CUREPIPE ROAD TAXI STAND - PUBLIC TOILET
(No. 1A/7) Dr S. Boolell (Second Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the
whether he will state if consideration will be given for the putting up of public toilets at the
Curepipe Road Taxi Stand for the convenience of the public.
Reply: I am informed by the Municipal Council of Curepipe that no decision has been
taken for the time being for the construction of a public toilet at the Curepipe Road taxi stand.
However, they did exist in the area a public toilet, which was demolished with the realignment
of the taxi stand. There is definitely a need to put up a public toilet in the area, but at a location
to be suitably identified.
SCHOOL BUSES AND VANS (PRIVATE) – ACCIDENTS
(No. 1A/8) Mr D. Nagalingum (Second Member for Stanley & Rose Hill) asked the
whether, in regard to private school buses and vans, he will, for the period 2005 to date, state (a)
the number of registered vehicles, and
(b)
the number involved in road accidents, indicating the number of
casualties
Reply: The Road Traffic Act does not specifically provide for the registration of private
school buses and vans. However, the number of registered vehicles operating under a PSV
(contract bus) licence for the conveyance of students is as follows –
Prior to
2004: 634
2005: 691
2006: 699
2007: 713
2008: 722
2009: 780
2010: 780
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The Commissioner of Police has informed that since year 2005 to date, seven accidents
involving private school buses/vans have been reported to the Police. Eleven children were
injured and one died following those accidents.
A breakdown of cases is as follows –
Year
No. of accidents
No. of casualties
2005
2
1
2006
-
-
2007
2
9 injured + 1 fatal
2008
2
1 injured
2009
-
-
As at 04 July 2010
1
1 injured
PETITE RIVIÈRE - IRRIGATION CANAL
(No. 1A/9) Mr R. Bhagwan (First Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked
whether, in regard to the project for the covering of the irrigation canal at Petite Rivière from the
Princess Margaret Street to the Nundloll Lane, he will state where matters stand.
Reply: I am informed that the irrigation canal crossing the residential area in Petite
Rivière also known as the Nermont Branch of the Magenta Canal is maintained and used for
distribution of irrigation water to planters by the La Ferme and Magenta Water Users
Association. I understand that due to major way leave issues, the Ministry of Public Utilities had
not been able to undertake the project. The National Development Unit is proposing to have
consultations with all the stakeholders for the implementation of the project.
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT – WORKERS – LAID OFF
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(No. 1A/10) Mr V. Baloomoody (Third Member for GRNW & Port Louis West)
asked the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment whether, in regard to the
Employment Rights Act, he will state the number of workers –
(a)who have been laid off, and
(b) whose contract has been terminated since the proclamation of the Act.
Reply: Under section 37(6) of the Employment Rights Act 2008, a written notice has to
be given to the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment where an employer –
(a) intends to reduce any number of workers or to close down his enterprise for reasons
of an economic, technological, structural or similar nature, and
(b) terminates the employment of a worker for any other reason.
On the basis of the notifications received, the number of workers whose employment has
been terminated since the proclamation of the Employment Rights Act, are as follows –
Period
Feb 2009 to June 2010
Termination of
Termination of
Employment -
Employment – for
Economic Reasons
other reasons
3,509
900
Total
4,409
LES SALINES – PAS GEOMÉTRIQUES – ACCESS
(No. 1A/11) Mrs J. Radegonde (Fourth Member for Savanne & Black River) asked
the Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the Les Salines
public beach in the village of Rivière Noire, he will state if he is aware that private landowners
have blocked access thereto and, if so, will he state the remedial actions that will be taken.
Reply: As at date, there is no proclaimed public beach at Pas Géométriques Les Salines,
Black River.
The access that is being referred to in the question is on private lands and, therefore,
members of the public have to seek permission from the landowners.
In order to remedy to the situation, my Ministry has taken the following measures -
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(i)
a plot of State land of an approximate extent of 5A61P has been
earmarked at Pas Géométriques Les Salines and action has already
been initiated to proclaim this site as a public beach, and
(ii)
a strip of land of an approximate extent of 2A33P has been acquired
for the creation of an access from the Black River/Savanne Coast
Road to the proposed site for a public beach.
CASE NOYALE – WATER SUPPLY
(No. 1A/12) Mrs J. Radegonde (Fourth Member for Savanne & Black River) asked
the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities whether he is aware that the
inhabitants in the region of Case Noyale do not have an adequate water supply and, if so, will
he, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Central Water Authority, information as to the
remedial measures that will be taken.
Reply: I am informed by the CWA that Case Noyale is supplied from Bois Puant service
reservoir of 2,000 m3 capacity, which is fed from Yemen borehole, with a yield of 4,000 m3 /day.
Due to low rainfall, there is currently a decrease in the yield of the Yemen borehole,
which supplies the regions extending from La Preneuse to Le Morne including Case Noyale. The
hours of supply are presently from 4.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
To address the water shortage in these regions, additional water resources will be
transferred from La Marie Treatment Plant to Bois Puant service reservoir and some 20 km of
pipeline will be constructed. It is expected to invite bids for the works in August 2010.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS – INSPECTORS
(No. 1A/13) Mr S. Obeegadoo (Third Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the
Minister of Education and Human Resources whether, in regard to Secondary Schools, he will –
(a) give the number of inspectors in post for State Secondary Schools, and (b) for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Private Secondary Schools Authority,
information as to the number of inspectors for Private Secondary Schools.
Reply: In regard to part (a), the number of Inspectors in post for State Secondary schools
-
125
(i)
Pedagogical Inspectors
: 4
(ii)
Inspectors (Pre-Vocational) : 5
Three Pedagogical Inspectors are currently attached to the Quality Assurance and
Inspection Division.
Following the recommendations of the PRB Report 2008, a Quality
Assurance and Inspection Division has been set up in the Ministry.
The structure of the Quality Assurance and Inspection Division is made up of (i)
a Director, Quality Assurance who is currently in post in an acting capacity;
(ii)
one Senior Quality Assurance Officer, and
(iii)
eight Quality Assurance Officers.
Procedures for prescribing the scheme of service of the grades of Director, Quality
Assurance, Senior Quality Assurance Officer and Quality Assurance Officer have already been
initiated. Once the schemes of service are prescribed, action will be initiated for recruitment.
In regard to part (b), there are no Inspectors as such at the Private Secondary Schools
Authority (PSSA) since 2001. The Inspectorate Section at the PSSA has been restructured in a
Supervisory Unit which is actually manned by (i)
3 Principal Supervisors;
(ii)
1 Principal Supervisor (Acting), and
(iii)
9 Supervisors/Senior Supervisors.
PRIMARY EDUCATION – COMPLETION RATE
(No. 1A/14) Mr S. Obeegadoo (Third Member for Curepipe &Midlands) asked the
Minister of Education and Human Resources whether, in regard to Primary Education, he will
give, in each case, for the last ten years (a) the Primary Completion Rate, and
(b) the Net Enrolment ratio.
Reply: As regards part (a), the Primary Completion Rate for the last ten years is as
follows –
126
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
9
8
5
9
00
9
8
8
7
5
Completion
Rate
As for part (b), the Net Enrolment Ratio for the last ten years is as follows –
Y
Year
2
2000
N
NER
2
2001
9
5
2
2002
9
5
2
2003
9
7
2
2004
9
8
2
2005
9
7
2
2006
9
6
2
2007
9
6
2
2008
9
5
2
2009
9
5
9
5
STCM LIMITED – SUPPLIERS
(No. 1A/15) Mr R. Uteem (Second Member for Port Louis South & Port Louis
Central) asked the Minister of Industry and Commerce whether, in regard to STCM Limited, he
will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the State Trading Corporation, information as to –
(a) the names of the suppliers and the value of commodities imported by
the Company since its incorporation, and
(b) if any tender exercise was effected and, if not, why not.
Reply: With regard to part (a) of the question, the name of the suppliers and value of
commodities imported by STCM Ltd are as follows –
Product
Supplier
CIF Value USD
UHT Milk
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Federation
Lima Beans
Tetra Fruits
Refined Salt
Ojas Exports Pvt Ltd
Lima Beans
Dalian Happy Fortune Trading
28,746
Yellow Split Peas
A1 Online Trading
54,775
Cloves
Adson Ltd
66,000
Lima Beans
Tantsaha Mihary Menabe
491,048
Milk Powder
Qingdao United Dairy
200,182
Black Eye Bean
Sarelacos Co. Ltd.
117,984
41,342
3,360
54,990
127
Lima Beans
NK Import Export Ltd
54,990
Basmati Rice
S&S Impex Ltd
11,613
Basmati Rice
Wali Co. Ltd
77,788
Total
1,202,818
The total value of commodities imported is USD 1,202.818.
With regard to part (b) of the question, as per STCM Limited procedure, suppliers were
requested to send their quotations before making purchases.
TOURISTS - ‘MAURICE SANS PASSPORT’ INITIATIVE
(No. 1A/16) Mr K. Ramano (Second Member for Belle Rose &Quatre Bornes) asked
the Minister of Tourism and Leisure whether, in regard to the decision to allow tourists visiting
Mauritius without a passport, he will –
(a) give the number of such visitors who have entered Mauritius since
the implementation thereof, indicating the category and nationality
of the visitors, and
(b) state whether –
(i)
any study has been carried out to assess its impact on the
Tourism Industry
(ii) it will be maintained and, if so, for how long, and
(iii) consideration will be given to extending same to tourists from
China and India.
Reply: I am informed that the decision to allow French tourists to visit Mauritius was
taken in the context of the social unrest which took place in Les Antilles (French department of
Martinique and Guadeloupe) in February 2009. The social unrest was associated with severe
internal problems and unstable political situation which caused many French tourists, including
those from Réunion Island, who planned to spend their holidays in that region to cancel their
hotel bookings and to change their travel plans.
It was considered that this constituted an ideal opportunity to bring additional tourists to
Mauritius, especially that during the same period, Mauritius started to suffer from the adverse
consequences of the global financial crisis which had a direct serious impact on tourist arrivals,
especially from our traditional long-haul tourist generating markets.
128
However, certain conditions would have to be fulfilled. In fact, since these tourists
travelling to Les Antilles do not need a passport and travel only with their identity card, there
was need to waive, as an exceptional measure, the requirement for a passport for these French
travellers, in order to facilitate the re-routing of these French tourists to Mauritius.
In this context, following approval conveyed by the Prime Minister’s Office, the French
tourists, including those from Réunion Island, were allowed to come to Mauritius as from
February 2009 on the basis of their identity card only, provided they fulfill certain conditions
namely (a) the French nationals should meet immigration requirements, i.e a
return air ticket, enough money to sustain themselves during their
stay and a hotel reservation;
(b) the same airline company conveying the tourists should return them
to their country of origin, and
(c) a list of passengers with full personal details should be submitted 3
days in advance for necessary formalities.
The measure was also extended on 27 February 2009 to nationals of Italy not possessing
a passport and who have cancelled their planned trips to Les Antilles, under the same conditions,
as applicable to French tourists.
In view of the positive impact that this measure has produced on the French market, in
that it has helped to mitigate the adverse effects of the prevailing economic crisis on tourist
arrivals from that country, it has been decided to extend the measure up to 31 December 2010.
However, concerning the Italian tourists, since there has no significant positive impact in
terms of tourist arrivals from Italy, the measure was not extended on its expiry on 31 January
2010.
Concerning part (a) of the question, I am informed that some 9,469 tourists belonging to
various social and professional categories have visited Mauritius without passport, as follows -
129
Country
Year 2009
Year 2010
Total
(Feb to Dec)
(Jan to June)
Reunion
2400
1737
4137
France
2978
1383
4361
Italy
917
54
971
Total
6295
3174
9469
In regard to part (b) (i) of the question, I am informed that a preliminary study has been
carried out in relation to a sample of some 1,225 French tourists who travelled to Mauritius
during the period 23 February to 30 May 2009. The study has revealed the following main
findings • 83% of the visitors travelled through Travel Agents and 17%
through Tour Operators.
• The top Tour Operators (Exotismes, Nouvelles Frontieres-TUI,
Tourinter) have generated 82% of tourists. The remaining tourists
travelled through some other 18 Tour Operators
• Some 13% of the tourists came from Paris and 87% from other
provinces of France.
• Some 59% travelled with Corsairfly and some 37% travelled with
Air Mauritius/Air France, and the remaining 4% used Air Austral,
Emirates and Condor to travel to Mauritius.
• The tourists coming to Mauritius came from different social
categories, and stayed mostly in middle range hotels, even though
there have been some cases where they have stayed in leading high
class hotels.
• To date, some 9,469 tourists have travelled to Mauritius through
‘Maurice Sans Passport’ initiative. On the basis of the findings of
the last survey on outgoing tourist, that a French tourist spends
around Rs 41,804 for an average stay of 10 days in Mauritius, it is
130
estimated that the additional 9,469 tourists spent a total of
Rs395,842,076 for an average stay of 10 days.
Furthermore, Mauritius benefitted from a wide international media coverage when the
measure was implemented, thus generating enhanced visibility for the destination through the
publicity given to the initiative taken by Mauritius.
Concerning part (b) (ii) of the question, I am informed that the decision to renew this
measure will be taken in consultation with all stakeholders concerned and in the light of the
benefits accruing therefrom.
With regard to part (b) (iii), I am advised that it is not proposed to extend the measure to
tourists from China and India, being given that according to laws and regulations prevailing in
these two countries, their nationals need a passport to travel overseas.
ROBERT EDWARD HART AVENUE/OLLIER AVENUE, QUATRE BORNES –
ACCESS ROAD
(No. 1A/17) Mr K. Ramano (Second Member for Belle Rose &Quatre Bornes) asked
the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping
whether consideration will be given to the opening of an access road for pedestrians or vehicles
from Robert Edward Hart Avenue to Ollier Avenue in Quatre Bornes for the convenience of the
inhabitants of Résidence Beau Séjour and Robert Edward Hart Avenue.
Reply: The Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes has informed that the access road being
referred to is a private road and the owners are not agreeable to declare it public.
PRE-HAJJ MISSION - MONEY SPENT
(No. 1A/18) Mr A. Ameer Meea (First Member for Port Louis Maritime &Port
Louis East) asked the Minister of Arts and Culture whether, in regard to the forthcoming Hajj
pilgrimage, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Islamic Cultural Centre,
(a) the total amount of money spent on –
(i) air tickets;
131
(ii) per diem allowances in respect of each member of the pre-hajj mission;
(b) the names of the organisers and officers who will be attending the training on the
new transport system in Saudi Arabia, and
(c) whether the Centre has requested the Saudi Authorities that the quota per organiser
be restricted to a maximum of 200 pilgrims.
Reply: With regard to the forthcoming Hajj pilgrimage, I am advised as regards part (a),
the money spent in respect of members of the pre-Hajj mission is as follows –
Member Pre-Hajj Mission
Air Ticket
Per diem
Dr F. Aumeer
Rs 41,674
Rs 27,125
Mr I. Jeeawoody
Rs 41,674
Rs 27,125
Mr R. Soobadar
Rs 22,158
Rs 63,444
*
Mr H. Beebeejaun
*
*
All the costs were met by Air Mauritius as per its policy pertaining to duty travel of staff.
As regards part (b), the training on the new transportation system in Saudi Arabia has
been postponed. The participants will be designated in due course.
The answer to part (c) of the question is no.

Debate No 6 of 2010 (REVISED) - Tuesday 06 July

Transcription

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